Obituary | Tribute to Greg Dell

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Greg Dell

Gregory Robert Dell, age 70, passed away in Raleigh, NC, on Sunday, October 30, 2016, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in Blue Island, Illinois in 1945. His parents, Anthony and Jeannette (Bingham) Dell preceded him in death. He is survived by spouse Jade (Luerssen) Dell, son Jason Delborne, daughter-in-law Tonya Delborne, granddaughters Olivia and Ramona, and sisters Gloria Dell Filebark and Laura Dell.

Greg was a Pastor in the United Methodist Church for 40 years, serving churches in Naperville, Minooka, Evanston, Oak Park, and Chicago. His ministry focused on issues of peace, justice, and the celebration of human diversity, including a commitment to the inclusion of LGBTQI persons in faith communities. He was tried and convicted by the United Methodist Church in 1999 for officiating at a holy union ceremony between two gay parishioners in Chicago.

Greg earned a BA from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1967 and a Master’s of Divinity from the Duke Divinity School in 1970. He received honorary doctorates from Illinois Wesleyan in 2000 and Chicago Theological Seminary in 2007. Greg was an avid fisherman, scuba diver, general aviation pilot, and delighted in his family. He will always be remembered as “Bubba” by his granddaughters.

A service of memorial and celebration will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 20, 2016, at the Alice Millar Chapel, a non-denominational center on the campus of Northwestern University. The address is 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Greg’s honor may be given to the following organizations:

Church Within A Church Movement, PO Box 578524, Chicago, IL 60657
Resist (link is external), PO Box 441155, Somerville, MA 02144

Thoughts by and about Greg

This [ministry] is what I love to do. But if it costs you your integrity to survive, it's not worth surviving.

Pastor Greg Dell
I can't do anything different.

My religion says that I'm to serve all people.

I can't serve some and not others.

Pastor Greg Dell
He was funny as all get out. His sense of humor and the twinkle in his eye. Everyone who knew Greg could tell you about that expression.

He had the ability to take meaningful things seriously and maintain a sense of humor and a lightness about himself personally.

Rev. Lois McCullen Parr, pastor Broadway UMC, Chicago, IL
He really had a heart for justice.

They were not just words for him. It was his way of life.

Everything was about justice and equity for him.

Rev. Vernice Thorn, retired pastor, member CWACM
I became convinced... that the gospel, that which was giving life to people, was really expressed in the civil-rights movement and its insistence on justice and fairness for all people regardless of their identity.

Injustice in any form was injustice in all of its forms.

Pastor Greg Dell
[Greg was] a beacon on love and inclusion.

Greg's sermons were awe-inspiring, blending scripture with current events and person[al] experience then bringing it home to the scripture.

Scott McGowan, attended Broadway UMC, Chicago, IL
His witness has made a difference both transforming one person and in the larger story of the movement for inclusion.

Rev. Lois McCullen Parr, pastor Broadway UMC, Chicago, IL
In every fiber of his being, Greg really believed in the love of God having the kind of power that can overcome earthly power.

Rev. Lois McCullen Parr, pastor Broadway UMC, Chicago, IL
He taught me how to create my own identity and my own voice and he gave me space to do that. He would step back and push me forward.

Rev. Vernice Thorn, retired pastor, member CWACM
Don't violate the character and nature that God gave you. It is something to be treasured, loved and expressed.

Pastor Greg Dell
I loved hearing his voice and there was a physical joy about him when he preached.

Jim Bennett, Lambda Legal Midwest Regional Director; member Broadway UMC, Chicago, IL
Greg in his ministry believed and believes that the church 'rite' of marriage ought be provided 'for all,' despite the fact in the United Methodist Church today, it is only 'afforded to some.'

Rev. Gil Caldwell
Putting faith to action is a huge piece of what he [Greg] gave the church.

Jacqueline Boyd, director of music, Broadway United Methodist Church, Chicago, IL
Greg said many times at Euclid that part of a deep faith is an ability to be angry about situations involving pain and loss, but that [those situations] never have the last word. This disease will not destroy him. It isn't the last word.

Carl Rinder, member of Euclid Methodist Church, Oak Park, IL
Everyone knows what a soft spot Greg has in his heart for the babies and little ones. I think baptisms were always one of his favorite “duties.”

He beamed with joy and delight as he held our daughter aloft in a jubilant procession around the sanctuary, proclaiming, “Welcome your new sister, sisters and brothers” as everyone clapped and cheered.

Katy Clusen, member of Broadway Methodist Church, Chicago, IL
On my last visit with Greg... I told him how his consistent message of God's love for LGBTQI persons has saved lives, and that the risks he took to challenge UM polity on our behalf will continue to energize CWACM.

We've all been changed for knowing you, Greg. Rest, now. You've taught us well. We'll take it from here.

cathy knight, executive director, Church Within A Church Movement
This is how God made us, all different, so beautiful, a garden of humanity, and we should be able to come together and be who we are.

Pastor Gregory Dell