Kevin Delory Obituary: It’s with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that we say goodbye to a true giant of our industry, a dear friend, a devoted father and husband, and an irreplaceable presence in the lives of so many—Kevin DeLory. His sudden passing has left a void that words can scarcely begin to fill, and yet we try, because honoring him in words is the least we can do for a man who gave us so much more.
Kevin wasn’t just the Chief Lending Officer at EPM Wholesale. He wasn’t just a partner in the business, or a voice at the table—he was the kind of person who made the table. He brought people together, created opportunity where there was doubt, and filled every room he entered with energy, humor, and heart. His larger-than-life personality was something you never forgot after a single meeting. But to those of us fortunate enough to truly know him, we know it wasn’t just the charisma that made him unforgettable. It was his loyalty, his work ethic, his ability to see potential in people—even when they couldn’t see it in themselves.
Kevin brought me into the mortgage industry and gave me more than a job—he gave me a second family. He opened a door that changed my life forever. Ten years ago, I never could’ve imagined the life I have today, but Kevin did. He saw something in me and took a chance, and because of that, I’ve had the chance to grow, to succeed, and to be part of something bigger than myself. I owe so much of who I am and what I’ve built to the faith he placed in me. That kind of gift can never truly be repaid.
What’s hardest to accept is that we won’t get to hear his laugh echo through the halls anymore. We won’t get to share another sarcastic exchange or try to outwit him just to get that signature smirk. Kevin had that “iron sharpens iron” energy—he thrived on the challenge, the banter, the hustle. Making him laugh was always a high achievement. He’d roll in wearing a suit with his face on the liner or pull off some absurd office prank, and we’d all just lose it. That was Kevin: part executive, part showman, all heart.
But he wasn’t just about good times and hustle—Kevin was also a man of vision and depth. I saw a shift in him over the last few years, something softer and more grounded. He was focused, present, and there was a peace in him that you could feel. He talked with such pride and love about his wife Dana and his daughter Brooklyn. The joy in his eyes when he mentioned them was unmistakable. Just a few weeks ago, he was talking about how excited he was to see Brooklyn graduate. That he won’t get to witness that moment is a cruel and heartbreaking reality that none of us are ready to face. To Dana, to Brooklyn, and to all of Kevin’s family—there are no words strong enough to ease this grief, but please know that you are surrounded by a community of people whose lives were made better by Kevin. We grieve with you, we pray for you, and we stand beside you.
The news of his passing has rippled through our community, through the mortgage industry, through the EPM family, and beyond. And it hurts—it really hurts—because Kevin wasn’t just a colleague or an executive. He was a brother to many. A mentor. A challenger. A force. And even now, in the wake of this loss, Kevin is still teaching us something important—about legacy. Legacy isn’t about titles or accolades. It’s about the way you made people feel. It’s about the laughs you left behind, the careers you helped shape, the lives you touched just by showing up with intention and passion. Kevin left behind a powerful legacy. One that can’t be measured in numbers or spreadsheets, but in stories, in memories, in the quiet strength of those who now carry his spirit forward.
Yesterday, I looked through old photos—portraits, candid shots, moments frozen in time—and I came across an image of Kevin that stopped me cold. It was just him, being himself. Confident. Electric. Visionary. And it hit me how short life really is. How fleeting. We take these photos, we write these words, we hold on to these fragments in hopes they’ll help us hold on to the people we love. But nothing replaces the real thing. Nothing replaces him.
Kevin was our partner in this industry, but more importantly, he was our partner in life. On the frontlines, in the trenches, during the highs and the heartbreaks. He made us stronger. He made us laugh harder. He made us care more. To our EPM family—let us lead now with the same heart Kevin showed every day. Let us continue the mission we all shared. Let’s be bold, be kind, be relentless in pursuit of excellence—because that’s what Kevin would have done. That’s how we keep his legacy alive.
To everyone who’s ever crossed paths with Kevin, let’s remember him not only for the powerhouse professional he was, but for the human being who made time for others. Who celebrated victories loudly and stood by quietly when support was needed. Who made people believe they could be more. Kevin DeLory, you were one of a kind. And while your time here ended far too soon, your impact will echo for years to come. You changed lives. You changed mine. Rest easy, Chef. I’ll miss you more than I can say. We all will. But we’ll keep pushing forward, because that’s what you would’ve wanted. We’ll keep showing up, giving our best, and laughing through it all—even when it hurts. We love you. We thank you. We’ll never forget you. Rest in peace, brother. We’ll carry it from here.
