Darrel Dee Gale was born August 8, 1934 in Crystal Township north of Agra, Kansas. He died December 31, 2010 in Hays, Kansas at the age of 76 years. Darrel was the son of James and Fannie (Abbott) Gale.
Darrel grew up in the same township in which he was born. He graduated from Agra High School and Kansas State University where we was a member of the Wildcat football team and FarmHouse Fraternity. Darrel was the first in his family to graduate from college. He travelled to Nicaragua with International Foreign Youth Exchange the following year.
Darrel married Coleen Ratliff on November 9, 1957. Darrel served active duty in the Army from June of 1957 until February of 1959. He returned to farming with father and brother after his discharge. From 1961 until February of 1989, he served in the National Guard, retiring as a Colonel. Darrel was Battalion Commander for the 287th Ordinance Battalion and the G2 on the General Staff for the Kansas Army National Guard at the time of his retirement.
During many of these years, Darrel also drove a school bus and served as the announcer for Eastern Heights Athletic contests. He was an avid participant in sports, playing softball for many years. He also traveled to watch his children's and then his grandchildren's activities and events. Darrel enjoyed golf as a member of the Phillipsburg Golf Club and playing with his family and friends. He was an avid reader.
Darrel was active in the Soil Conservation Service both locally and eventually serving on the state conservation board. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and specifically the choir. He had solos and major roles in local cantatas and theatrical productions. Darrel was a member of Keynotes Quartet that performed at area functions for 25 years.
Darrel is survived by his wife of 53 years, Coleen. His children include Dee Ann and husband Chris Showalter of Hutchinson, KS, Darren and wife Marsha Gale of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Dawn and husband Darron Veh of Hutchinson, KS. He has 6 grand children, Sara and Cari Showalter, Derek and Madeline Gale and Taylor and Gannon Veh. Darrel's brothers are Loren Gale of Agra, KS and David Gale of McPherson, KS. He is also survived by numerous in laws and friends.
Darrel was preceded in death by his parents, passing 14 years to the day after his father.
A celebration of Darrel's life will be held at 11:00 on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at the Huck Boyd Center in Phillipsburg, KS. Burial will follow at West Cedar Cemetery, Agra, KS with military honors. Visitation with family will be from 7-8 pm on Monday, January 3, 2011 at Olliff-Boeve Funeral Home. Memorials have been established to the United Methodist Church of Phillipsburg, the Johnson Cancer Research Center at KSU, and Grace Memorial Church, New Braunfels, TX where Darrel and Coleen enjoyed the past 11 winters. Olliff-Boeve Funeral Home of Phillipsburg is in charge of arrangements and memorials.