Colton Neff Dettle, 34 years, 11 months and 9 days, found peace on Feb. 26, 2025.
Services took place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, at Wellington First Methodist Church with Rev. Gene Weinette, pastor, officiating. A graveside service followed at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements were by Adams Funeral Home of Wellington, Texas.
Charlie Hartman, Ty Hartman, Armando “Brother” Hinojosa, Quentin O’Rear, Kaleb Hall, Gus Wilbur and Ryan White served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer was Sawyer Adams.
Colton was born on Sunday, March 18, 1990, in Amarillo, Texas to Lisa and Neff, and briefly resided in Stratford, Texas, before moving to Wellington. He was the apple of his Mama’s eye, with curly, blonde hair and big, brown eyes.
Always curious about the world from a young age, Colton loved to ask questions. He was extremely intelligent and a gifted student. He frequently sought out information on how and why things were. A simple answer would never suffice. He attended school in Wellington and graduated in 2008.
He loved to be outside, whether on the golf course, at the lake, popping fireworks, skateboarding or farming. If he ever went missing as a child, he would frequently be found in the solitude of a tall tree or on a roof. Even as a teenager and adult, he still loved to climb things.
He cherished his special friendship with his cousin, Charlie, and the lifelong friends that accompanied him on various shenanigans throughout his 34 years.
A great dad, Colton treasured every moment spent with his kids. He was the kind of dad and uncle that would get down on the floor and paint nails, build LEGO sets, blow bubbles and color. He loved making memories with Colt and Harlow and couldn’t wait to take them on all kinds of adventures.
Colton loved his family, Cajun food, scratch-off lottery tickets, naps, Popeye’s chicken, his dog, Daisy, Hoop Teas, Newports, Klaussen pickles, cool socks, quoting movies and finding a song relevant to any conversation.
He always wanted to “look pretty” and had an eclectic collection of clothes and shoes that were “so awful they were awesome.” His most prized possession was the gold chain that belonged to his father, and he was never seen without it. He was a sentimental man, constantly sharing old photos, songs and stories.
Colton loved “trinkets” and was never without a cool rock, a coin or figurine, and he frequently gave the people he loved trinkets as tokens of his love. His sense of humor was unmatched, cracking jokes and making people laugh, even on the worst days. He could fire off a comeback faster than anyone. He loved to make people laugh but was also a strong shoulder to cry on.
More than anything, it was important to Colton that the people he loved felt safe, seen and heard. He loved people from all walks of life and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He gave freely and loved the way he wanted to be loved.
He wanted to create a safe space where people felt that it was okay to be who they were naturally inclined to be. Colton was open about the struggles he had in life and provided reassurance to others that they were not alone in fighting their silent battles.
Over the last couple of years, Colton considered himself somewhat of a nomad. Home was with the people he loved, whether it be Wellington, Lubbock, Lago Vista or the golf course. He especially loved to be with his big sister and baby brother.
The legacy that Colton leaves behind is simple. Help the people that need help, sarcasm is a love language, never take yourself too seriously and love yourself as you are, the way God intended. It’s okay to call your loved ones three or four times a day just because you miss them. Do the best you can. Life’s a garden; dig it.
Colton was welcomed into loving arms by the people he missed most, his father, Martin Neff Dettle, and his Nana, Margaret Hartman. Aboard the Welcome Wagon were his “Uncle Poota” Steve Hartman; Papa Leon “Apus” Hartman; godmother “Aunt Lisa” Wyatt; special friend and mentor Don “Scragg” O’Rear; stepbrother Shayne Swearingen; and grandparents Gary and Louise Dettle and Don and Jane Manuel.
Waiting patiently to be reunited with Colton are his children, Colt Neff and Harlow Amelia Dettle; Mama Lisa Manuel; dad and stepmother Terry and Diane Manuel; stepfather Phillip “Scruffy” Swearingen; big sister Kendal, baby sister Haley Pope and husband Tyson, baby sister Corey Fraser and husband Alfred, and the baby brother he so desperately wanted and best friend, Langdon “Mustard Water Fuzzy B” Manuel and wife Karen; and girlfriend Sephen.
Colton had a menagerie of nieces and nephews that he adored: Noah, Carson, Daphne, Corren, Sophia, Teagan, Jonathan, Camden, Zella, Riggs, Enola, Penelope, Maeve and cousins who were like a nephew and niece, Benji and Olivia. He also leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends to cherish his memory.
Memorials can be made to the Martin Neff and Colton Neff Dettle Memorial Fund, established in honor of Colton and his dad for students who wish to pursue a trade.
Sign the online guestbook at adamsfuneralsvc.com.
