Johnny Darrell DeLord

Johnny DeLord, age 94 of Gatesville, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at Eastwood Baptist Church with Pastor Lynn Parks officiating. Burial will follow at Pearl Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday at Scott’s Funeral Home.

Johnny Darrell DeLord was born on August 31, 1931 alongside his twin brother, Robert, to the late Thomas and Era Mae Ingram DeLord in the Brookhaven Community, on what is now known as Fort Hood. He grew up and attended school in Flat, graduating from Flat High School in 1951. Later that same year, he enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving during the Korean War. His duty stations included Kwajalein Atoll, which is part of the Marshall Islands and Puerto Rico, where he served in the supply division.

On September 20, 1952, he married the love of his life, Ann Nell Hampton in Flat, Texas. They began their life together in Corpus Christi where Ann Nell supported Johnny throughout his deployment in the United States Navy. The couple moved back to Pearl before settling in their current home in 1964. Between 1960 and 1967, their family grew with the addition of three sons and one daughter: Arnold Darrell, Blake Todd, Regina Ann and Paul Allen. Johnny and Ann Nell shared 73 wonderful years of marriage together before her passing just two weeks ago.

Johnny was an ordained deacon at Pearl Baptist Church, working alongside his father-in-law, Earl Hampton. He taught Sunday School to both adults and youth while attending church at Eastwood Baptist Church, and took great care of the church grounds.

A true jack of all trades, Johnny loved to tinker and could fix just about anything. He and Ann Nell shared a love for attending church and going camping together. In 1980, Johnny proudly took on the name “PawPaw”, a name he thoroughly enjoyed. He and Ann Nell were blessed with eight grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ann Nell DeLord; his daughter, Regina Ann Blakley; his twin brother, Robert DeLord; his brother, Thomas William DeLord; and his sister, Burdeen Bell.

He is survived by his sons, Arnold Darrell DeLord and wife Lisa, Blake Todd DeLord and wife Kellie, and Paul Allen DeLord and wife Lynne; along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.