Dell, 82, died August 19, 2011, in Missoula, Montana. He was born May 9, 1929, in Pocatello, Idaho. Dell was an accomplished athlete at Missoula County High School where he graduated in 1947. His football team won four state championships. Del enlisted in the Navy during the Korean
War and he earned his bachelor's degree in Business at the University of Montana after his discharged in 1954.

Dell had a career in the nightclub business opening the Cabin Lounge in 1965 and Tyler's Supper Club in 1985. He jumped at Missoula during the 1946-47 seasons and had nine practice and seven fire jumps.