Delmar Light, 97, of Buckhannon, WV went to be with our Lord and reunite with his wife Alice, parents, and other family members and friends on the morning of Friday, April 25, 2025.
Delmar was born in Hemlock on February 24, 1928, a son of the late Dewey and Flossie Tenney Light. He is survived by his daughter, Jody Lynn Light of Buckhannon; son, Kim Gratton and wife, Patricia of Mt. Airy, MD; two grandsons: Shawn Gratton and wife, Lindsey, and their daughter, Jaclyn, all of Annapolis, MD, and Bradley Gratton of Baltimore, MD; one sister, Connie Light; three sisters-in-law: Nelda (Exil) Light, Marie (Lancel) Light, and Joan George all of Cary, NC; and several nieces, nephews, and other family members.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Light was preceded in death by his stepmother, Lera Light; two brothers: Exil and Lancel Light; and three sisters: Mavis Woody, Gaitha Hoover, and Mona Lee Light.
Delmar served in the US Navy during WWII and drove Greyhound bus in central WV, where he met the love of his life, Alice Dawson, who he married on March 19, 1954. Together, they started their lives in Hemlock before moving to Buckhannon to begin their farming career, where they raised pigs, chickens, rabbits, and operated one of two commercial dairy farms in Upshur County, selling milk to Meadow Gold Milk for many years. He later established and operated the John Deere dealership here until their retirement.
With his love of working with his hands, Delmar began purchasing and renovating various properties, doing much of the work himself, for commercial and residential rentals in both Buckhannon and Leesburg, FL. Spending their winters in Florida, the Lights purchased an abandoned orange grove in Leesburg several years ago, turning it into a successful upscale housing development, Lake Point at the Summit. He loved anything dealing with the land, and later designed two housing developments in Upshur County.
Delmar was an avid hunter, and was happiest being “out on the farm” or watching the deer and other wildlife that visited their home regularly.
A Methodist by faith, he regularly attended the Buckhannon Mission Church, and recalled his walk to salvation, commenting, “I don’t know why it took me so many years to walk such a few steps to the alter.”
Per his request, Delmar will be cremated with his ashes combined with his wife Alice’s, who passed on January 1, 2014, with no formal services as he wished. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Mountain Memories in Elkins for their compassionate care in the last months of his life. Although it wasn’t home, he enjoyed the staff and bragged about the great care and friendships he received there.
We, at Clutter Funeral and Cremation located at 21 Elnora Circle in Buckhannon, are honored and privileged to serve the family of Delmar Light. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ClutterFuneralHome.com.
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