Obituary of Gilbert Delgado

Long time Santa Barbara resident Gilbert Delgado, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Wednesday, May 9th after a lengthy illness. He leaves behind his beloved wife and ministry partner, Carmela, and four children Ken (Nina) Delgado, Gilbert (Stephanie) Delgado Jr, Judette Montoya, and Julissa Delgado. He also leaves behind his treasured grandchildren, Sergio Garcia, Amanda and Julio Vargas, David Garcia, Jacob and Joshua Escobar, Johanna and Benjamin Delgado. He will be missed greatly by his three (3) precious great grandchildren, Israel, Noah and soon to arrive, Elijah Gilbert Vargas. Gilbert is survived by three sisters, Vera Jackson, Esperanza Gonzales and Angie Ponce. To his many nieces and nephews- your Uncle Gil loved you very much. He was preceded in death by his mother Victoriana Delgado. Gilbert was born in El Plomo , Sonora, Mexico and he lived his life in Santa Barbara with both great adversity and victory! He came to know and serve his Lord in 1975 and never looked back. He was never afraid to share how the Lord brought him from darkness into the light! He worked for decades with the youth of Santa Barbara, ministering directly to them in the Juvenile Hall, the Santa Barbara Jail and Los Prietos Boys Camp. Where there was a need to share the gospel and demonstrate the awesome power of God, he was there. He was a committed and loving youth leader and speaker in churches across the area. He spent endless hours over the years spreading the gospel to the lost and homeless at both the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, and the Salvation Army. He was a dedicated, integral member at church and changed the lives of hundreds of men, women and children. Gilbert had a gift of bringing people to the Lord, acting like a dynamic magnet. He established bible studies, prayer meetings and men's support groups for anyone in need. He and his wife shared a love for spreading the gospel and took advantage of every opportunity the Lord provided to do so. He preached that the Lord was forgiving, and he was a model of that forgiveness. He was a charismatic person who made everyone feel cherished and special. He was a lover of all things including, camping, fishing, golf, basketball, baseball, crossword puzzles, a good cup of coffee and sitting in the sun. He participated in several marathons and excelled at all sports especially horseshoes. He could often be found playing in the backyard with the grandchildren's or reading his "Word" in his black truck. To put into words all that he was and what he meant to each of us would be impossible. He will be remembered by all as a man of great compassion, calling and faithfulness to the Lord. A special thanks to the therapists at the Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, his doctors and nurses, Visiting Nurses and Hospice of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Cancer Center. Donations can be made to the Gilbert Delgado Memorial Fund at Rabobank (Milpas Street Branch) A viewing is scheduled for Thursday, May 17 from 5-7 pm at McDermott Crockett Mortuary- 2020 Chapala St. A Memorial service will be held on Friday, May 18 at 11am at Santa Barbara Calvary Chapel, 1 N. Calle Cesar Chavez