Delfin "Del" R. Dargantes

Delfin R. Dargantes, 75, of Omaha. Del was born July 24, 1942, in the mountains near Baybay, Leyte, The Philippines. World War II had reached his island, and his village had been evacuated due to US and Japanese warfare, with his father fighting for the Americans in a Filipino guerrilla unit.He was the 6th of 12 children born to Jose and Angelina Dargantes.In his youth, he played basketball, which became a driving force in his life, almost joining a professional team at one point. (Even at age 40, in an adult basketball league, Del could take a jump shot higher than anyone, hang for like 10 seconds, switch hands, and make the basket!!) Del met the love of his life, Pat, on the campus of his alma mater, Visayas State University, near Baybay, Leyte.She was a newly graduated Peace Corps volunteer, teaching math and chemistry on campus.She stole his hat, and that was that.They were married in Baybay and came to the US in 1967. They had one daughter, Della, named for her father. A proud Filipino, Del was a long-time member of the Omaha area Fil-Am Organization. He developed a side business of pig roasting for the Filipino community.His favorite activity, however, was his annual “Birthday Party”, usually held on the hottest day of July.Hundreds of people have enjoyed Del’s lechon, the delicious Filipino food, volleyball, and the fun over many decades. Gardening and landscaping were passions of Del’s.He and Pat created their beloved Mabuhay Gardens, their hobby farm outside Glenwood, IA, where they cultivated acres of gardens, raised hundreds of chickens, peacocks, guineas, and small animals like goats and pigs.They enjoyed sharing their place with anyone and everyone.Del loved the simple pleasures of watering the hundreds of flowers he would plant annually, caring for the animals, incubating and hatching eggs. Del loved and lived for his grandchildren; Leah (19), Luke (17), Molly (8), and Jack (8). He and Pat made many road trips to see the kids in MN, then many more into Omaha for music programs, baseball games, cross country meets, band competitions … you name it, they attended.Never complaining, always present, and glad to be supporting the kids. Service and community played a huge part in Del’s life.As a farm worker at Boys Town, he helped establish many programs like orchards, bee hives, fish hatcheries, and always including the boys in each project.He was a volunteer for Big Brothers, Big Sisters for many years, and won the award of Big Brother of the Year in the 1970’s.His support extended into friendships, being the first to bring food after tragedies, lend a helping hand, offer support in whatever manner he and Pat could.And they never expected payback or the return of kindness back to them. Del will be remembered for his laughter, his enjoyment of life, his hard work ethic, his love of family, and of gathering people together.“Spirit of the Pig!” Rest in peace, Tay. We love you and will miss you always!!! VISITATION: Tuesday, July 24, 2018 from 5-8PM with PRAYER SERVICE starting at 7pm at Braman Mortuary (72nd St. Chapel) A celebration of life will be held Friday, July 27, 2018 from 5-8PM at the Glenwood Farm. In Lieu of flowers, memorials to the family will be used in Del’s memory at a later time.