Editing Del City, Oklahoma

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Del City, Oklahoma
| settlement_type          = City
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = 
| image_skyline            = 
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = 
| image_flag               = Del City Flag.jpg
| image_seal               = Del City Seal.jpg

<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = Oklahoma County Oklahoma Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Del City highlighted.svg
| map_caption              = Location in [[Oklahoma County, Oklahoma|Oklahoma County]] and the state of [[Oklahoma]].
| pushpin_map              = USA
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Oklahoma]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Oklahoma|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Oklahoma County, Oklahoma|Oklahoma]]

<!-- established --------------->
| established_title1       = Settled
| established_date1        = 1940s
| established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2        = October 9, 1948
| established_title3       = 
| established_date3        = 
| extinct_title            = 
| extinct_date             = 
| founder                  = George I. Epperly
| named_for                = Delaphene Campbell

<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = Floyd Eason {{citation needed|date=October 2023}}
| leader_title1            = [[City Manager]]
| leader_name1             = JD Hock {{citation needed|date=October 2023}}
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = <!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 19.47
| area_land_km2            = 19.47
| area_water_km2           = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi         = 7.52
| area_land_sq_mi          = 7.52
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 21822
| population_density_km2   = 1120.68
| population_density_sq_mi = 2902.63
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| population_est           = 
| pop_est_footnotes        =

<!-- General information -->| timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset               = &minus;6
| timezone_DST             = CDT
| utc_offset_DST           = &minus;5
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 1211
| coordinates              = {{coord|35|26|54|N|97|26|27|W|region:US-OK|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code              = 73115, 73117, 73135
| area_code                = [[Area code 405|405, 572]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 40-19900<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website |df=mdy }}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2410313<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410313}}</ref>
| website                  = [http://www.cityofdelcity.com/ City of Del City]
| footnotes                = 
}}
'''Del City''' is a city in [[Oklahoma County, Oklahoma|Oklahoma County]], [[Oklahoma]], United States, and a part of the  [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area]]. The population was  21,822 at the [[United States Census, 2020]], a 2.3% increase from 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Del City city, Oklahoma |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Del_City_city,_Oklahoma?g=160XX00US4019900 |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

Del City is located near two major interstate highways, both of which connect it to [[Oklahoma City]]. [[Interstate 40 in Oklahoma|Interstate 40]] bisects the town from the northwest to southeast, and [[Interstate 35 in Oklahoma|Interstate 35]] lies just a short distance west of the city. The city borders southeast Oklahoma City, [[Midwest City, Oklahoma|Midwest City]] and [[Tinker Air Force Base]]. George Epperly, founded the city, which was incorporated by a vote of its residents in 1948. Del City is named after Epperly's eldest daughter, Delaphene Campbell.<ref name="Hedglen">{{cite web | url=http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=DE008 | title=History of Del City | publisher=Okshistory.org | access-date=December 24, 2011 | author=Hedglen, Thomas}}</ref> Since its incorporation Del City has expanded three times, first by annexing Carter Park in 1954, Midway Village in 1963 and the acquisition of an undeveloped piece of land between the city and Tinker AFB<ref name="Hedglen"/>
A large area of Del City was significantly impacted by the [[1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak|May 3, 1999, tornado outbreak]] that passed through the Oklahoma City metro area.<ref name="May Third Tornado Outbreak"/>

==History==
Founded in Boone Township, Oklahoma County, as a "bedroom" community, Del City lies three miles (5&nbsp;km) east of Oklahoma City and one mile (1.6&nbsp;km) west of [[Midwest City]]. At the turn of the 21st century, Del City was a {{convert|7.5|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} community surrounded on the north, west, and south by [[Oklahoma City]] and on the east by Midwest City. [[Interstate 40 in Oklahoma|Interstate Highway 40]] bisects the town from the northwest to southeast. Oklahoma City streets define the boundaries: NE 10th Street on the north; Sooner Road on the east; SE 44th Street on the south; and Bryant Avenue on the west. Northwestern corner of the city is a mile from the junction of [[Interstate 35 in Oklahoma|Interstate 35]] and Interstate 40, justifying its claim to being "the Crossroads of America."<ref name="Hedglen" />

In the [[Land Run of 1889]], Jordan Pybas and his wife settled in what is present-day Del City. Five generations later the family still lives in the house that was completed in 1907.<ref>{{cite web|title=Del City Road Trip|url=http://www.news9.com/category/208045/del-city-road-trip?redirected=true|publisher=News9.com|access-date=May 14, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002203429/http://www.news9.com/category/208045/del-city-road-trip?redirected=true|archive-date=October 2, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>  Before 1946 there were only two families living in what would become Del City.<ref name=Delcity>{{cite web|title=Road Trip Oklahoma headed to Del City|url=http://www.news9.com/story/14587523/road-trip-oklahoma-headed-to-del-city|publisher=News9.com|access-date=May 14, 2011}}</ref> Developer [[George Epperly]] purchased a wheat field {{convert|160|acre|km2}} large at the corner of SE 29th Street and Sunnylane Road in 1946 with a plan to build fifty houses.<ref name="Hedglen" /> In 1948 there were 582 homes in Del City, 75% of which were built by George Epperly, Despite opposition, the unincorporated Epperly Heights and its 200 families voted to approve incorporation on October 9, 1948.<ref name=Delcity/> In February 1959, Del City adopted a charter and a council-manager form of town government.<ref name="Hedglen" /> The city was named for Epperly's daughter, Delaphene Campbell.<ref name="Hedglen" />

The city expanded through the annexation of [[Carter Park, Oklahoma|Carter Park]] in 1954 and Midway Village in 1963. Del City attempted to annex the ''Rose Smith Addition'' but its residents incorporated and became the town of [[Smith Village, Oklahoma|Smith Village]].  The city also acquired a piece of undeveloped land that separated it from [[Tinker Air Force Base]]. Oklahoma City annexed this same piece of land, and a court fight ensued. In District court, Del City won and Oklahoma City appealed to the State Supreme Court. Del City officials, while awaiting the hearing, pursued negotiation again with Oklahoma City this time accepting {{convert|20|acre|m2}} along the Tinker AFB boundary. Del City, having expanded to its greatest possible physical limits in 1964, joined Midwest City and Norman in underwriting the '''Little River Reservoir Project''' that became [[Lake Thunderbird]].<ref name="Hedglen" />

The Del City Historical Society was organized in 1975 with Andy Evans as its first president. Several children of the Eighty-niners (89ers) still lived in the area, and they identified every original homestead within city limits. Residents also learned that their town was on the path of the 1870s Arbuckle Trail, a Texas to Kansas cattle trail. Wrestler and two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner John Smith previously resided in Del City.<ref name="Hedglen" />

With home building and family-oriented amenities the founding focus, industry was slow to develop in Del City to create any jobs (99 percent of Del Citians commuted to work in 1948, while only 96 percent commuted in 2000). Don's Alley Restaurant and Midwest Trophy Manufacturing are two businesses of long standing. Don Moore opened his hamburger grill at 4601 SE 29th Street in 1955, but on October 31, 2022 it was announced that Don's Alley Restaurant would permanently close. Midwest Trophy Manufacturing began in David R. Smith's garage in Del City in 1971. Midwest Trophy Manufacturing (now known as MTM Recognition) employs over 750 people throughout North America, 400 of them in Del City. It is the city's largest industry. MTM Recognition's corporate headquarters are in Del City at 3405 SE 29th Street.<ref name="Hedglen" />

Del City is represented in the [[Oklahoma Legislature]] by House [[Oklahoma House of Representatives|District 94]] Representative [[Andy Fugate]] and Senate [[Oklahoma Senate|District 46]] Senator [[Mark Mann (politician)|Mark Mann]]. On the national level Del City is represented by [[Oklahoma's 4th congressional district|4th district]] Representative [[Tom Cole]], and by [[List of United States Senators from Oklahoma|U.S. Senators]] [[James Lankford]] and [[Markwayne Mullin]].
Del City as had four newspapers ''Del City Leader'', ''Del City Sun'', ''Del City Times'', and the ''Del City News''.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|7.5|sqmi|km2}}, all land.

The city is located in the [[Central Oklahoma|Frontier Country]] region in the center of the state. Del City lies in the Sandstone Hills region of Oklahoma, known for hills of {{convert|250.|to|400.|ft|m}} and two species of oak – [[Quercus marilandica|blackjack oak]] (Quercus marilandica) and [[Quercus stellata|post oak]] (Q. stellata).<ref name="Geo">{{cite web | url=http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/ok_geography.htm | title=Oklahoma Geography | publisher=www.netstate.com | access-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref>

Del City is in a region dominated by the [[Cross Timbers]], an area of prairie and patches of forest at the eastern extent of the [[Great Plains]]. The region is essentially a transition buffer between the wetter and more forested Eastern Oklahoma and the semi-arid high plains of Western Oklahoma, and experiences extreme swings between dry and wet weather patterns. Climate is dominated by large differences in annual rainfall totals, with [[Central Oklahoma]]'s western boundary receiving far less rain than compared to its eastern boundary. Because of these convergences of dry and wet weather patterns, Del City is located at the heart of what is known as [[Tornado Alley]], and is in one of the most tornado-prone areas in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=ftp://ftp.epa.gov/wed/ecoregions/ok/ok_front.pdf|title=Ecoregions of Oklahoma|access-date=September 24, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 
Eagle Lake is located within Del City; the lake is located in the northern part of the city and is the only large body of water. The lake is stocked with bass, catfish, bluegill, carp, vancuren trout and crappie.<ref name="starsalute">{{cite web|url=http://www.eoctc.com/delcity.php |title=Del City |publisher=Eastern Oklahoma County Tourism |access-date=December 24, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221074910/http://www.eoctc.com/delcity.php |archive-date=December 21, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref>

===Climate===

{{Weather box |location = Del City, Oklahoma
|single line = Y
|Jan high F = 46
|Feb high F = 51
|Mar high F = 59
|Apr high F = 69
|May high F = 77
|Jun high F = 86
|Jul high F = 91
|Aug high F = 91
|Sep high F = 82
|Oct high F = 73
|Nov high F = 59
|Dec high F = 50
|year high F=
|Jan low F = 28
|Feb low F = 32
|Mar low F = 37
|Apr low F = 50
|May low F = 59
|Jun low F = 68
|Jul low F = 71
|Aug low F = 69
|Sep low F = 62
|Oct low F = 51
|Nov low F = 39
|Dec low F = 32
|year low F=
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.9
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.3
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.9
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.1
|May precipitation inch = 5.7
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.7
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.2
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.4
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.8
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.5
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.6
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.4
|year precipitation inch=30.5
|source 1 = The Weather Channel<ref name="weather.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USOK0596
|title=Monthly average temperatures and precipitation|publisher=The Weather Channel |year=2010 |access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref> Weatherbase.com<ref name=Weatherbase>{{cite web
|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=723542&refer=&units=us
|title=Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Del City, Oklahoma, United States |access-date=April 30, 2010 |publisher=Weatherbase}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1950= 2504
|1960= 12934
|1970= 27133
|1980= 28523
|1990= 23928
|2000= 22128
|2010= 21332
|2020= 21822
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR2" /><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Oklahoma|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/37749197v1p38ch2.pdf|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 22, 2013 }}{{dead link|date=December 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Oklahoma: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-38.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref><ref name="CensusPopEst">{{cite web|title=Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2016|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 25, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611010502/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|archive-date=June 11, 2013|df=mdy }}</ref>
}}
At the 2010 census,<ref name="GR2" /> there were 21,332 people living in the city. The population of the city peaked at 28,523 in 1980, just before the oil bust and subsequent economic downturn.<ref name="Hedglen"/> In 2000, the population density was {{convert|2,935.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The population 66.04 percent [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 17.07 percent [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 4.03 percent [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.06 percent [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02 percent [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], and 7.06 percent of mixed race. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanics]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latinos]] of any race made up 7.02 percent of the population.<ref name="Data">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190521214830/https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=August 8, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref>

There were 8,669 households and 5,538 families in the city in 2010. There were 9,580 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,290.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. Of those 8,669 households, 27.6 percent had children under the age of 18, 38.9 percent were headed by married couples living together, 18.8 percent were headed by a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1 percent were non-families. 27.2 percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.9 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.04.<ref name="Data"/>

In 2010, 26.1 percent of the population were under the age of 18, 9.01 percent from 18 to 24, 26.0 percent from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.7 percent who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau Data|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_SF1_QTP1&prodType=table|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212213704/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_SF1_QTP1&prodType=table|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2020|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=August 8, 2011}}</ref>

The [[median household income]] was $32,218 and the median family income was $36,515. Males had a median income of $28,806 versus $21,997 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,717. About 10.5 percent of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.8 percent of those under age 18 and 7.2 percent of those age 65 or over.<ref name="Data"/>

== Government ==
<!--{{Main|Government of Del City}}
{{See also|List of mayors of Del City}}-->
The City of Del City has operated under a council-manager form of city government since 1959.<ref name="Hedglen"/> Floyd Eason was sworn in as Mayor on April 15, 2019.<ref name=gov>{{cite web|title=Mayor and City Council |url=https://cityofdelcity.com/mayor-and-city-council |publisher=cityofdelcity.com |access-date=January 24, 2011}}</ref> Four councilpersons represent each of the four wards of Del City. The city manager is currently held by J.D. Hock.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-20 |title=Del City officials hire law firm tied to OKC councilman to sue Oklahoma County over chosen jail site |url=https://kfor.com/news/local/del-city-officials-hire-law-firm-tied-to-okc-councilman-to-sue-oklahoma-county-over-chosen-jail-site/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=KFOR.com Oklahoma City |language=en-US}}</ref> The Del City Police Department is headed by Police Chief Loyd Berger and is staffed by 34 full-time officers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cityofdelcity.gov/departments/all-departments/police-department/ | title=Police Department | publisher=City of Del City | access-date=January 28, 2025}}</ref> The Del City Fire Department is headed by Fire Chief Zion Williams and is staffed by 30 full-time firefighters.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cityofdelcity.gov/departments/all-departments/fire-department/ | title=Fire Department | publisher=City of Del City | access-date=January 28, 2025}}</ref>

==Economy==
Del City borders [[Tinker Air Force Base]], the largest single-site employer in Oklahoma.<ref name="Tinker">{{cite web | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/tinker.htm | title=Tinker AFB, Oklahoma | website=globalsecurity.org | access-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref> Other major employers in the area include [[Rose State College]], AllianceHealth Midwest, base-affiliated companies and many of the major employers in the [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area]].

==Education==
[[Image:Del City High School.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Del City High School]]
The [[Mid-Del School District]] provides education in almost all of Del City,<ref name=CensusSDmap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st40_ok/schooldistrict_maps/c40109_oklahoma/DC20SD_C40109.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Oklahoma County, OK|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-01-28}}</ref> with one high school ([[Del City High School]]), one middle school (Del City Middle School), three elementary schools (Del City Elementary School, Epperly Heights Elementary School and Townsend Elementary School) located in Del City.<ref name="Mid-Del">{{cite web|url=http://sc.mid-del.net/education/components/sectionlist/default.php?sectiondetailid=5 |title=Schools |publisher=www.mid-del.net |access-date=December 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101163601/http://sc.mid-del.net/education/components/sectionlist/default.php?sectiondetailid=5 |archive-date=January 1, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref>

A small portion of Del City is in [[Oklahoma City Public Schools]] (OKCPS).<ref name=CensusSDmap2020/> Zoned schools of the OKCPS portion are: Bodine Elementary School,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.okcps.org/cms/lib/OK01913268/Centricity/domain/115/attendance%20maps/ALL_Elementary%2020190422.pdf|title=ALL_Elementary%2020190422.pdf|publisher=[[Oklahoma City Public Schools]]|access-date=2024-01-28}} - Compare with municipal boundaries.</ref> Webster Middle School,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.okcps.org/cms/lib/OK01913268/Centricity/domain/115/attendance%20maps/ALL_Middle%2020190422.pdf|title=ALL_Middle%2020190422.pdf|publisher=[[Oklahoma City Public Schools]]|access-date=2024-01-28}}  - Compare with municipal boundaries.</ref> and [[Capitol Hill High School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.okcps.org/cms/lib/OK01913268/Centricity/domain/115/attendance%20maps/ALL_High%2020190422.pdf|title=ALL_High%2020190422.pdf|publisher=[[Oklahoma City Public Schools]]|access-date=2024-01-28}}  - Compare with municipal boundaries.</ref>

Del City also has three [[Private schools#United States|private schools]] (Destiny Christian School, Cristo Rey, and [[Christian Heritage Academy]]).<ref name="CHA">{{cite web |title=PSS Private School Universe Survey |url=http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&City=Del+City&State=40&NumOfStudentsRange=more&IncGrade=-1&LoGrade=-1&HiGrade=-1&ID=01128278 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=December 31, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525235542/http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&City=Del+City&State=40&NumOfStudentsRange=more&IncGrade=-1&LoGrade=-1&HiGrade=-1&ID=01128278 |archive-date=May 25, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref> [[Rose State College|Rose State Community College]] is located within {{convert|15|mi|km}} of Del City.<ref name="About Us"/>
{{Clear}}

==Arts and culture==

=== Annual cultural events ===
An annual Armed Forces Day Parade is put on by the city and Shriners in May each year.<ref name="About Us">{{cite web | url=http://www.cityofdelcity.com/about.htm | title=History of Del City | publisher=City of Del City | access-date=December 24, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217202533/http://www.cityofdelcity.com/about.htm | archive-date=December 17, 2011 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

=== Museums and other points of interest ===
Historical exhibits can be found at the Oklahoma County & Western Museum, Del City Preservation & Historical Society, and War Memorial. The Oklahoma Country Western Music Hall of Fame hosts regular bluegrass and country events.<ref name="starsalute"/>

====War memorial====
The war memorial located opposite the Del City Community Center has several monuments dedicated to those who were killed in combat who were either born or lived in Del City. The memorial is dedicated to twenty one servicemen killed while serving in various branches of the U.S. Military  during [[World War II]], the [[Vietnam War]] and the [[Iraq War]]. Dedicated in November 2010, the memorials include an [[armored personnel carrier]] and a [[Fallen Soldier Battle Cross]] being watched over by two crouched U.S. servicemen. The memorial also has a [[time capsule]].<ref name="starsalute"/>
{{Gallery
|align=center
|mode=nolines
|Image:DCWarMemorial1.jpg|Del City war memorial
|FSBCDC.jpg|Fallen Soldier Battle Cross
|DCAPC.jpg|Armored personnel carrier
}}

== Parks and recreation==
Outdoor recreational areas include the Del City Ball Park, three bicycle and pedestrian trails, and Eagle Lake. The Eagle Harbor Aquatic Center water park is located behind the community center.<ref name="City life">{{cite web|title=City life |url=http://www.cityofdelcity.com/parks.htm |publisher=www.cityofdelcity.com |access-date=January 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501121033/http://www.cityofdelcity.com/parks.htm |archive-date=May 1, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref>

==Religion==

Del City's largest church, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, was founded in 1956 as the St. Francis Xavier Church. The parish had grown to 340 families by 1966 and broke ground on a new building on {{convert|10|acre|m2}} along Sunnylane Road. Its name was changed to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in 1967.<ref name="Stpaul">{{cite web|url=http://www.stpaulscatholic.org/history.html |title=History |publisher=www.stpaulscatholic.org |access-date=December 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426071712/http://www.stpaulscatholic.org/history.html |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref>

==1999 tornado==
{{Main|1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado}}
[[File:OKCTornado2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Aerial view of Del City after the tornado]]
[[Image:Del City Monument.jpeg|thumb|Tornado victims' memorial]]
A large area of Del City was significantly damaged by the Bridge Creek–Moore F5 tornado that passed through the [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area]] on May&nbsp;3, 1999.<ref name="May Third Tornado Outbreak">{{cite web | url=http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/news/may3rd/outbreak.html | title=May 3, 1999 Oklahoma Kansas Tornado Outbreak | publisher=www.nssl.noaa.gov | access-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref> The tornado first touched down southwest of the community of [[Amber, Oklahoma|Amber]]. The funnel was approximately a half-mile wide when it entered Del City as an F4 from the west near the intersection of S.E. 44th Street and Spiva Drive. The tornado continued on a north-northeast trajectory, exiting the city near Sooner Road and Woodview Drive.<ref name="Storm's path">{{cite news | url=http://newsok.com/storms-path-has-no-pity/article/3366006 | title=STORM'S PATH HAS NO PITY | date=May 16, 1999 | access-date=January 7, 2011 | last=Thornton | first=Tony Thornton | newspaper=The Oklahoman}}</ref> Hail and high winds were experienced by residents in the surrounding area. President [[Bill Clinton]] visited Del City and the surrounding areas a few days later to view the damage caused by the storm.<ref name="Shelter">{{cite web | url=http://www.sciencenews.org/pages/sn_arc99/5_22_99/bob3.htm | title=A Shelter in the Storm | publisher=Science News Online | date=May 22, 1999 | access-date=December 24, 2011 | author=Monastersky, Richard}}</ref>

[[Image:Del City Monument2.jpeg|thumb|upright|left|Tornado victims' Monument]]
The tornado was the last to be classified as an F5 tornado in the United States under the original [[Fujita scale]] system before the [[Enhanced Fujita Scale]] was implemented in February&nbsp;2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=F5 and EF5 Tornadoes of the United States|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/f5torns.html|publisher=www.spc.noaa.gov|access-date=January 25, 2011}}</ref>  Even so, within a few years most of the area had been rebuilt. The only visible evidence of the tornado's path today include the cluster of newly constructed homes, the absence of large trees, and an interruption in the row of evergreen trees that lined Sooner Road between 44th Street and 29th Street.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}}

A memorial stands along a walking and bike path on Sooner Road and is dedicated to the seven people who lost their lives during the May&nbsp;3 tornado.<ref>{{cite web|title=Del City to dedicate tornado victim memorial|url=http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=8267247|publisher=news9.com|access-date=December 31, 2010|archive-date=March 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311195806/http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=8267247|url-status=dead}}</ref> United States Air Force Staff Sergeant James Day was killed in an ATV accident on May 8, 1999, while he was patrolling an area of Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, which had been damaged in the tornado. He is also listed on the memorial.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Officer Down Memorial Page Remembers . . .|url=http://www.odmp.org/officer/15248-staff-sergeant-james-r.-day|publisher=The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc|access-date=December 31, 2010}}</ref>

The tornado was the deadliest and most destructive of the numerous tornadoes that were part of the [[1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak]]. A 2006 National Geographic Channel documentary, ''[[Ultimate Tornado]]'', discusses unusually violent tornado events and includes footage of the outbreak. The tornado ultimately claimed a total of 36 lives throughout the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.<ref name="GTO">{{cite web | url=http://www.weather.gov/oun/events-19990503-storma | title=The Great Plains Tornado Outbreak of May 3–4, 1999 Storm A Information | publisher=National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Norman | access-date=December 24, 2011 | archive-date=February 11, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211155104/http://www.weather.gov/oun/events-19990503-storma | url-status=dead }}</ref>
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==Notable people==
* [[Nick Blackburn]] – [[Major League Baseball]] player, pitched for the [[Minnesota Twins]] from 2008 to 2011.<ref name="Blackburn">{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/blackni01.shtml | title=Nick Blackburn Statistics and History | publisher=www.baseball-reference.com | access-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Scott Inman (politician)|Scott Inman]] – former Democratic Leader and member of the [[Oklahoma House of Representatives]] (2006–2018) grew up in Del City.<ref name="vote">{{cite web | url=http://vote-ok.org/Intro.aspx?State=OK&Id=OKInmanScott | title=Biographical Profile for Scott Inman | publisher=www.vote-ok.org | access-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Leadership |url=http://www.okhouse.gov/Members/Leadership.aspx |access-date=December 23, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222011110/http://okhouse.gov/Members/Leadership.aspx |archive-date=December 22, 2010 }}</ref> 
* [[Bob Kalsu]] – All-American tackle at the [[University of Oklahoma]] and NFL player for the [[Buffalo Bills]], attended Del City High School. Kalsu was killed in action during the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="Kalsu">{{cite web|url=http://www.ou.edu/rotc/army/alumniwofkalsu.htm |title=Alumni- Bob Kalsu |publisher=www.ou.edu |access-date=December 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124090713/http://www.ou.edu/rotc/army/alumniwofkalsu.htm |archive-date=November 24, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref>
* [[J. T. Realmuto]] – Major League Baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies
* [[Josh Scobey]] – former NFL player, later played for the [[United Football League (2009)|UFL]] [[Las Vegas Locomotives]] football team.<ref>{{cite web|title=Josh Scobey Profile|url=http://sea.scout.com/a.z?s=114&p=8&c=1&nid=2355616|publisher=Scout.com|access-date=January 30, 2011}}</ref>
* [[John Smith (American wrestler)|John Smith]] – two-time Olympic gold medalist ([[1988 Summer Olympics|1988]], [[1992 Summer Olympics|1992]]) and four-time [[World Wrestling Championships|World Champion]] in [[freestyle wrestling]].<ref name="About Us" />
* [[Pat Smith (wrestler)|Pat Smith]] – younger brother of John Smith, first ever four-time [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Division I]] National Wrestling Champion.<ref>[https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/15275 Lee Roy, Pat Smith now in Del City High Hall of Fame]. ''InterMat Wrestling''. Retrieved August 28, 2022.</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of towns and cities in Oklahoma by population]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.cityofdelcity.com City Website]
* [http://delcitychamber.com/?cat=6 Del City Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101018201414/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/D/DE008.html Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture – Del City]

{{Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area}}
{{Oklahoma County, Oklahoma}}

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[[Category:Del City, Oklahoma| ]]
[[Category:Oklahoma City metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma]]