Darrell King

Darrell Ross King passed away early Thursday morning at home with his family at his side after a 3-year long battle with various health issues. He was 72, a month short of 73. Darrell was born in Harrison Arkansas September 18th, 1949, to Roland and Hettie King. As a young child Darrell’s family moved to Cowiche, WA in search of employment opportunities, and after spending a very cold winter there they eventually settled outside of Toppenish, WA on a beautiful piece of land along the Yakima River where they raised pigs and various other crops. He helped his family out by tending crops such as tomatoes and has many stories of summers spent picking tomatoes with his sister Sharon and taking them to his mom to pack in boxes that his dad then transported to Wapato to sell. He also spent several summers working for his friend’s father’s farm, bucking haybales and doing various other farm chores. Darrell had many friends that he enjoyed time with but his favorite thing to do was ride his horse along the river, many times either searching for a misplaced cow or just enjoying the solitude. He loved being out in the sun enjoying the peace and quiet that nature provided. When Darrell was 16, he met the woman that would become his wife and four years later Darrell and Marion married in Zillah and began a life together. Five years later they had their first daughter, Cynthia, followed by daughter Andrea 2 years after that. On July 12, 2022, they celebrated 52 years of marriage. Darrell began working for the Wapato School District when his girls were young and retired from his job as head custodian in 2011 after 32 years. Dad took pride in his job and very rarely used his sick days, but he always took vacation time with his family, usually road tripping through Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming. He enjoyed old west history and passed that love onto not only his girls but his grandkids as well. In later years, he enjoyed joining his kids and grandkids on annual trips to Silverwood, riding his favorite log ride with the boys or convincing his wife to go on just one more ride on the train. He loved the old-fashioned music and the environment that Silverwood projected and delighted in spending that special time with his grandkids. Dad was the best dad ever and his daughters often said that if he had one fault at all is that he almost loved too much, too deeply and was fiercely protective. In 1989 Darrell moved his small family to a ten-acre piece of land that he called paradise, outside of White Swan. He lived there until three years ago when his kids convinced him to move in closer to town to avoid the hard winters and difficult springs, he always said that it was his favorite place and he missed it until his final days. He was a solitary man, preferring the company of a good horse or his nurse cow over crowds of people. He kept his circle of friends small but was loyal to them and loved them deeply. His family meant everything to him and although he never drove a new truck or had the best things that money could buy, he considered himself rich beyond measure because of his wife and daughters and the grandchildren that they gave him. He devoted many hours helping with the grandkids when they were small, whether it be throwing a baseball, taking a drive on the backroads of Medicine Valley, ice cream cones just because, baseball games, volleyball matches, football games, soccer games, and occasionally filling in as an extra driver to various activities at any given time. He doted on his wife and said she was his best friend, and he was so proud to be her husband. He gave of his time, attention and love freely to all of us, and that hole will never be filled. Dad lived for his grandkids and was so proud of each of them…he did not care if they won awards, or could throw the ball the hardest, he was proud of them because they were all wonderful young people with big hearts. He encouraged them to go after what they wanted but told them that money was not the most important thing to strive for, that money can’t buy the good stuff in life. He led by example, not so much in words. He helped those in need, expecting nothing in return. He was not just a good man, but an exceptional man, and if you were blessed enough to know him than you know that to be true. Darrell leaves behind his wife Marion, daughter Cynthia (John) Whipple of Bellingham WA, daughter Andrea (Billy) Van Kemseke of Zillah, five grandchildren. Thomas and Cooper Whipple and Drew, Jacob and Grace Van Kemseke. Darrell was proceeded in death by his parents and his 7 siblings, as well as his much-loved mother-in-law, Bernice. Final arrangements were made by Darrell himself, assisted by Valley Hills. Private family services were held per his request. Darrel was a private man and died as he lived, with little fanfare, and with a desire to be laid to rest quietly and without a fuss. Darrell’s chapter has ended, but his story continues as we go on to uphold his faith, his values, and his desire to love deeply. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Darrell King, please visit our flower store.