Delbert Stembridge Obituary

DELBERT R. STEMBRIDGE, PE, RPLS (Retired)



Delbert was born June 13, 1938, in Big Spring, Texas, to J.D. and Oneta Prescott Stembridge and passed away on Tuesday March 31, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Delbert grew up in Upshur County and attended East Mountain Schools graduating in 1956. In 1960 he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Frances Mathis. They were married 66 years at the time of his death. He received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX in 1962. Upon graduation he entered the U.S. Navy receiving his commission as an Ensign. He served his country in the Navy at Norfolk, Virginia, with the Amphibious Construction Battalion II (Seabees) and as an instructor of Physics at the Nuclear Submarine School at Great Lakes, IL. He was honorably discharged in June 1966.

After a brief career at Texaco, Delbert worked for two engineering firms in Fort Worth before establishing his own firm Stembridge & Associates. He retired in 2009 and enjoyed several years of golf with his wife Mary Frances.

Born to their union were two children Sara Lynn (Tito) and Steven Reese (Carlise). He was blessed with four beautiful grandchildren, Hayden Reese Nicholson, Mary Evelyn Nicholson, Sadie Frances Stembridge and Ruby Ann Stembridge. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren. They all survive him. Also left to survive him are his brother, Gary and his son Scott (Debra) and his wife Deborah and their son Nicholas, and sister Elaine (Clif).

There will be a private gravesite memorial at a later date at the historic Barber Cemetery at Starrville, Smith County, Texas.

Cremation arrangements by Neptune Society.