- Date Of Birth: July 7, 1932
- Date Of Death: August 2, 2021
- City: Sterling
- State: Colorado
Darrell was born on July 7, 1932 in Sterling, CO, to Dwight and Viola (Held) Whittington while they were farming south of Fleming. During the Depression, they left their family farm and moved to Fort Collins in 1935, then to Denver in the spring of ’42, and to Cambria, CA, in the fall of ’42 during World War II; back to Denver for 1 year, then settled in Fort Collins where he graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1950.
His love for farming began at the early age of 12 when he would spend his entire summers helping various uncles on their farms south of Fleming. He began farming after high school for his grandpa, Phillip Held, and uncle Clarence Held until he was drafted into the Army in 1952. He served in Salzburg, Austria, as a mechanic in the Ordnance Division. This proved to be beneficial for when he resumed his farming career which allowed him to work on his own equipment.
He was very lucky to have been sent to Europe instead of Korea during that time. He was Honorably Discharged in 1954, upon which time he returned to farming, and took advantage of the GI Bill and attended Colorado A & M University (CSU). He farmed for two quarters and went to school for two quarters. As a result, it took him six years to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree. On March 22, 1956, he married Jean Churchill in Loveland, Colorado. To this union three children were born: Lynda Jean, Susan Ranee, and Dale James.
He continued to farm south of Fleming with his son Dale, and eventually two grandsons, Derek and Drew, until he “retired,” but continued to help on the farm through 2020 at which time Darrell and Jean moved into Harmony Home in Yuma. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Hospice of the Plains.
Throughout the years, Darrell did numerous side jobs to support his family. He taught math, science, and shop at Lone Star School for one semester, he worked several campaigns at the GW Sugar Beet Factory in Sterling, and he sold cars with his good friend Lloyd Stanley. In addition to his love of farming, he also acquired the love of collecting and restoring antique tractors along with proudly showing them off. He served on the Fleming School Board for eight years and was a lifetime member of the Sterling Elks BPOE Lodge #1336.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dwight and Viola Whittington, his 11 year old sister Gwendolyn Whittington, infant grandson Dustin Dale Whittington, and niece Sondra DiGrazia.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean, daughters Lynda Whittington of Winston-Salem, NC, Susie (Mitch) Gebauer of Arvada, CO, and son Dale (Maureen) Whittington of Fleming; three grandchildren: Derek (Sarah) Whittington of Fleming, Drew Whittington of Fleming, and Lauren Whittington of Imperial, NE; three great-grandchildren: Lucy, Jojo, and Blue Whittington of Fleming; one sister Marilynn (Dave) Perry of Greenwood, IN, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
