Kevin Dale Darst

Kevin "Hoot" Darst passed away at home on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the age of 53 following a brief battle with brain cancer. He fought bravely without complaint, never losing his positive outlook.

Kevin lived his entire life in Vallejo and attended Cooper Elementary and Vallejo Junior and Senior High Schools. Kevin is survived by his wife, Shellyne; son, Nicholas; mother, Margie; sister, Christine; father and mother-in-law, Lorrie and Sandy Stone; brother and sister-in-law, Greg and Sally Stone; nieces, Sammie and Ella Stone; nephews, Michael and John Stone; and his faithful hunting dog, Shelby. His uncle, Dan Goodwin; and cousins, Ben and Jack Goodwin of Salt Lake City, Utah, also survive him. His father, Charles "Doc" Darst, preceded him in death.

Kevin was a gifted athlete and a standout baseball player for Vallejo High School and Solano Community College. He was drafted three times by the Oakland A's. The fourth time he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants and played with the Fresno Giants in 1978. One of Kevin's proudest moments was his induction into the Solano Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. Trading in one set of spikes for another, Kevin began swinging a thinner club at a smaller white ball and excelled on the links. He was an avid fisherman and the Eagle Lake trout feared him. He also enjoyed his annual deer hunting trips to Colorado and Wyoming where he wished the deer feared him. He enjoyed many years of traveling and camping in his RV.

Kevin was employed by Syar Industries, Inc., as a heavy equipment operator and, prior to his illness, worked at the Lake Herman Quarry and was a member of Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 for 27 years.

Kevin took great pride in coaching Nicholas' baseball teams from his early years in Little League through his St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School years. Thereafter, Kevin enjoyed many years coaching the SPSV girls' softball and golf teams. He was never too busy to spend extra time after practice, assisting team members when asked.

Kevin will be remembered for his love of family, his quiet manner, his unending willingness to help a friend, his strength of character, and his ability to hit the "long" ball - be it baseball or golf. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept.19, at Twin Chapels Mortuary, 1100 Tennessee St., Vallejo. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, also at Twin Chapels Mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School girls' softball and golf programs, 1500 Benicia Road, Vallejo.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Twin Chapels Mortuary, Vallejo, (707) 552-6696.

Vallejo Times-Herald
September 17, 2011.