Darell Gene Gill – July 2, 2022

 

Darell Gene Gill, a long-time resident of Plano, Texas passed away July 2, 2022 at the age of 80. He had recently moved to Cibolo, Texas to be closer to his sister, Vickie Jackson. He was born on May 15, 1942 to Delbert Gill and Thelma Mae (Wheeler) Gill in Waco, Texas where he grew up. Darell was a graduate of the 1960 class of Waco High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from North Texas State University and also earned a master’s degree from East Texas State University. For a time, Darell played semi-pro baseball for the Waco Missions. He later used his athletic talents to coach baseball and football to budding athletes in Plano ISD. In 1994, he earned a state football championship ring when the Plano Wildcats won the state title. The Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association awarded Darell as the first recipient of the Texas High School Assistant Coach of the year. In addition to coaching, Darell was a teacher for over 30 years.

Darell was a member of the Freemasons and a licensed pilot. He loved to fly and in 1985, the Plano Daily Star-Courier wrote an article about Darell teaching flight training to flying club students.

Darell was a very active member with FCA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and member of the Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, Texas. He was a loving father, brother, uncle and friend. Darell will be missed dearly by those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his sister, Janice Meadows of Griffin, Georgia, Vickie Jackson and husband, John of San Antonio, Texas, and Kathy Gill Foil of Brenham, Texas; brother, Travis Gill and wife, Pam of Victoria, Texas; nieces, Jennifer Nelson, Vanessa Presson, Amy Horn, and Kara Koen; and a host of other loving family and friends.

Darell was preceded in death by his daughter, Mandy Gill Gupta and parents, Thelma and Mozine Wood.

A memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 14, 2022 at Turrentine-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service was recorded and can be seen by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/darell-gene-gill.


w/ David McPhail

w/Gwen Ewing Hodges

7 comments on “Darell Gene Gill – July 2, 2022

  1. Sharon McCarthy Odell – I am so sorry to learn of Darell’s passing. He and I became reacquainted after WHS when my younger son Chris played football for Plano High School and Darell was a coach. He will be greatly missed by many students in the Plano schools as he was very well liked in the Plano community.

  2. Bob Easter – Sad news indeed. He too was a member of newspaper carrier gang at one time. Always enjoyed our conversations.

  3. Kay Phillips Sparks – I hate hearing about Darell’s passing. He lived across the street from me in our younger years when we lived on Lyle Ave. Darell was a very nice guy.

  4. Gayla Miller Webb – I have not responded to much in the Town Crier even though I think Jeanne has done a great job through the years to help our classmates get and stay connected.  I have tried to remain in touch with many through the years, even with a number of the men. Who says a man and a woman can’t just be friends. Thank goodness I have a husband who understands my friendships. 
    One friendship I am so glad I continued through the years was with Darell Gill. We were in the band together and stayed in touch through the reunions.  Darell had some sad last few years. He shared much of that with me as we talked on the phone from time to time. His sister called me to let me know of his death and asked if I would pass the word, which I did to Jeanne. 
    Today I watched his memorial which brought tears to my eyes. There were at least 20 friends who spoke of what a great friend and coach Darell was and what he had contributed to his coaching. They also spoke of his last sad years. 
    I am so glad that I continued to stay in touch and listen when he needed a friend. 
    Please watch his Memorial. It will warm your heart. And remember as we near the last years and days as we age, it could be one of us who needs an old friend to listen to us. 
    To each of you my dear classmates, I care about each of you. Let’s be happy

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