Darrell Dwayne Hill was born April 28, 1933 to Dwayne and Gladys Wigfield Hill in Burr Oak, Kansas. He passed away February 19, 2014 at 2:55 A.M. from congestive heart failure after a long and hard fought battle.
Darrell attended school in Manhattan, Kansas in his early years, later moving with his family to Topeka and graduating from Topeka High School in 1951. He was a talented athlete, helping his football team win the state championship in 1951 and being selected for All State football team that same year. He also excelled in wrestling, winning the state heavyweight championship in 1951.
After high school Darrell took off for Wichita University, now Wichita State University, in Wichita, Kansas, on a football scholarship with nothing but a suitcase with very little in it, having lost most of his clothes in the Topeka flood of 1951. He became the first freshman to make the starting lineup at Wichita University and remained there for 4 years, helping his team win the Missouri Valley Conference the last 2 years and also being selected All Missouri Valley Conference at offensive tackle.
In addition to being a talented athlete, Darrell became an Honor Roll student and was elected Senior Class President at Wichita University. It was during this time at WU that he met the love of his life, Patricia Klopp. They were married on January 17, 1953 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wichita, Kansas. After graduating with his Bachelor's Degree in 1955, Darrell went on to obtain his Master's Degree from WU, while teaching science and coaching football and wrestling in Douglass, Protection, and Wichita, Kansas and eventually Duncan, Oklahoma. The friendships he made at that those schools were a constant in his life.
After 4 years in Duncan, Darrell decided to pursue his doctorate at the University of Oklahoma. He was offered an assistant principals position in Norman and later became principal. He finished his doctorate while working full time and accepted the high school principal job in Ada, Oklahoma where he stayed for 7 years. His first superintendent job was in Blackwell, Oklahoma where he spent 4 years, then one year in Miami, Oklahoma before coming to Yukon where he was superintendent for 15 years. He retired in 1995, culminating 40 years in education.
Over the years, Darrell was active in his professional organizations serving as President of OASSP in 1974-75 and chairperson of CCOSA in 1975-76. He was honored with an OASA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. Darrell also served on the Spanish Cove Trustee Board as Chairman from 2005 to 2012, having to resign due to failing health.
Darrell being a lifelong educator was always asking people he met "Where did you go to school?" More times than not, he could always find a connection with them. He was also proud of the fact that in his younger years, due to his fair and impartial nature, he was asked to referee the Big 8 and the NCAA National Wrestling Tournaments along with many OU-OSU wrestling matches. He enjoyed spending time with his family and not only imparted on them the importance of education and hard work, but also a love of the outdoors. Many weekends and summers were spent at the family cabin at Lake Texoma and the memories will always be cherished. Darrell was a great husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa, coach, teacher, mentor, advisor, son, brother, visionary, teammate, leader and person.
Anyone who knew Darrell recognized that he was a very strong competitor in all that he pursued throughout his lifetime. Starting with his street fighting as a youth in north Topeka in order to survive, on the football field, on the wrestling mat, in the classroom, on the golf course, and as chair of many educational organizations during his long career in education, and lastly, surviving congestive heart failure for 18 years. His strength and presence will be with us forever.
Darrell is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lewis; and sister, Phyllis. His is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pat Hill of Yukon; and 4 children, who were extremely important to him and so proud of the adults they became, Steve Hill and wife Jane of McKinney, Texas, Roger Hill and wife Teresa of Altus, OK, Mark Hill of Kingsford, MI, and Carolyn Hoge and husband, John of Oklahoma City. He is also survived by grandchildren, Kim Kidder and husband Doug, Kathy Lampkin and husband David, Melissa Kamphaus and husband Zach, Leslie Hoge, Stephen Hoge, Laura Hill, Drew Hill, Shawn Hill; and 8 great-grandchildren.
The Hill families would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Robert Lockwood, Dr. Mel Clark, Dr. Richard Lane, and their staff for their long, continuous caring of Darrell and for their patience and friendship. Also, special thanks to the Spanish Cove Pavilion nursing staff and management who continually helped Darrell throughout his long ordeal with kindness, humor, and constant presence. It was so comforting to us all. And to Faith Hospice for their much needed support and help during this most difficult time.
The family will have a come and go reception for family and friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2014 at the Spanish Cove Pavilion. Memorial services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church of Yukon. Private burial will be in Yukon Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Darrell's name to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas TX 75284-1125 or www.heart.org.
Darrell attended school in Manhattan, Kansas in his early years, later moving with his family to Topeka and graduating from Topeka High School in 1951. He was a talented athlete, helping his football team win the state championship in 1951 and being selected for All State football team that same year. He also excelled in wrestling, winning the state heavyweight championship in 1951.
After high school Darrell took off for Wichita University, now Wichita State University, in Wichita, Kansas, on a football scholarship with nothing but a suitcase with very little in it, having lost most of his clothes in the Topeka flood of 1951. He became the first freshman to make the starting lineup at Wichita University and remained there for 4 years, helping his team win the Missouri Valley Conference the last 2 years and also being selected All Missouri Valley Conference at offensive tackle.
In addition to being a talented athlete, Darrell became an Honor Roll student and was elected Senior Class President at Wichita University. It was during this time at WU that he met the love of his life, Patricia Klopp. They were married on January 17, 1953 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wichita, Kansas. After graduating with his Bachelor's Degree in 1955, Darrell went on to obtain his Master's Degree from WU, while teaching science and coaching football and wrestling in Douglass, Protection, and Wichita, Kansas and eventually Duncan, Oklahoma. The friendships he made at that those schools were a constant in his life.
After 4 years in Duncan, Darrell decided to pursue his doctorate at the University of Oklahoma. He was offered an assistant principals position in Norman and later became principal. He finished his doctorate while working full time and accepted the high school principal job in Ada, Oklahoma where he stayed for 7 years. His first superintendent job was in Blackwell, Oklahoma where he spent 4 years, then one year in Miami, Oklahoma before coming to Yukon where he was superintendent for 15 years. He retired in 1995, culminating 40 years in education.
Over the years, Darrell was active in his professional organizations serving as President of OASSP in 1974-75 and chairperson of CCOSA in 1975-76. He was honored with an OASA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. Darrell also served on the Spanish Cove Trustee Board as Chairman from 2005 to 2012, having to resign due to failing health.
Darrell being a lifelong educator was always asking people he met "Where did you go to school?" More times than not, he could always find a connection with them. He was also proud of the fact that in his younger years, due to his fair and impartial nature, he was asked to referee the Big 8 and the NCAA National Wrestling Tournaments along with many OU-OSU wrestling matches. He enjoyed spending time with his family and not only imparted on them the importance of education and hard work, but also a love of the outdoors. Many weekends and summers were spent at the family cabin at Lake Texoma and the memories will always be cherished. Darrell was a great husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa, coach, teacher, mentor, advisor, son, brother, visionary, teammate, leader and person.
Anyone who knew Darrell recognized that he was a very strong competitor in all that he pursued throughout his lifetime. Starting with his street fighting as a youth in north Topeka in order to survive, on the football field, on the wrestling mat, in the classroom, on the golf course, and as chair of many educational organizations during his long career in education, and lastly, surviving congestive heart failure for 18 years. His strength and presence will be with us forever.
Darrell is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lewis; and sister, Phyllis. His is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pat Hill of Yukon; and 4 children, who were extremely important to him and so proud of the adults they became, Steve Hill and wife Jane of McKinney, Texas, Roger Hill and wife Teresa of Altus, OK, Mark Hill of Kingsford, MI, and Carolyn Hoge and husband, John of Oklahoma City. He is also survived by grandchildren, Kim Kidder and husband Doug, Kathy Lampkin and husband David, Melissa Kamphaus and husband Zach, Leslie Hoge, Stephen Hoge, Laura Hill, Drew Hill, Shawn Hill; and 8 great-grandchildren.
The Hill families would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Robert Lockwood, Dr. Mel Clark, Dr. Richard Lane, and their staff for their long, continuous caring of Darrell and for their patience and friendship. Also, special thanks to the Spanish Cove Pavilion nursing staff and management who continually helped Darrell throughout his long ordeal with kindness, humor, and constant presence. It was so comforting to us all. And to Faith Hospice for their much needed support and help during this most difficult time.
The family will have a come and go reception for family and friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2014 at the Spanish Cove Pavilion. Memorial services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church of Yukon. Private burial will be in Yukon Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Darrell's name to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas TX 75284-1125 or www.heart.org.
Darrell Dwayne Hill was born April 28, 1933 to Dwayne and Gladys Wigfield Hill in Burr Oak, Kansas. He passed away February 19, 2014 at 2:55 A.M. from congestive heart failure after a long and hard fought battle.
Darrell attended school in Manhattan, Kansas in his early years, later moving with his family to Topeka and graduating from Topeka High School in 1951. He was a talented athlete, helping his football team win the state championship in 1951 and being selected for All State football team that same year. He also excelled in wrestling, winning the state heavyweight championship in 1951.
After high school Darrell took off for Wichita University, now Wichita State University, in Wichita, Kansas, on a football scholarship with nothing but a suitcase with very little in it, having lost most of his clothes in the Topeka flood of 1951. He became the first freshman to make the starting lineup at Wichita University and remained there for 4 years, helping his team win the Missouri Valley Conference the last 2 years and also being selected All Missouri Valley Conference at offensive tackle.
In addition to being a talented athlete, Darrell became an Honor Roll student and was elected Senior Class President at Wichita University. It was during this time at WU that he met the love of his life, Patricia Klopp. They were married on January 17, 1953 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wichita, Kansas. After graduating with his Bachelor's Degree in 1955, Darrell went on to obtain his Master's Degree from WU, while teaching science and coaching football and wrestling in Douglass, Protection, and Wichita, Kansas and eventually Duncan, Oklahoma. The friendships he made at that those schools were a constant in his life.
After 4 years in Duncan, Darrell decided to pursue his doctorate at the University of Oklahoma. He was offered an assistant principals position in Norman and later became principal. He finished his doctorate while working full time and accepted the high school principal job in Ada, Oklahoma where he stayed for 7 years. His first superintendent job was in Blackwell, Oklahoma where he spent 4 years, then one year in Miami, Oklahoma before coming to Yukon where he was superintendent for 15 years. He retired in 1995, culminating 40 years in education.
Over the years, Darrell was active in his professional organizations serving as President of OASSP in 1974-75 and chairperson of CCOSA in 1975-76. He was honored with an OASA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. Darrell also served on the Spanish Cove Trustee Board as Chairman from 2005 to 2012, having to resign due to failing health.
Darrell being a lifelong educator was always asking people he met "Where did you go to school?" More times than not, he could always find a connection with them. He was also proud of the fact that in his younger years, due to his fair and impartial nature, he was asked to referee the Big 8 and the NCAA National Wrestling Tournaments along with many OU-OSU wrestling matches. He enjoyed spending time with his family and not only imparted on them the importance of education and hard work, but also a love of the outdoors. Many weekends and summers were spent at the family cabin at Lake Texoma and the memories will always be cherished. Darrell was a great husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa, coach, teacher, mentor, advisor, son, brother, visionary, teammate, leader and person.
Anyone who knew Darrell recognized that he was a very strong competitor in all that he pursued throughout his lifetime. Starting with his street fighting as a youth in north Topeka in order to survive, on the football field, on the wrestling mat, in the classroom, on the golf course, and as chair of many educational organizations during his long career in education, and lastly, surviving congestive heart failure for 18 years. His strength and presence will be with us forever.
Darrell is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lewis; and sister, Phyllis. His is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pat Hill of Yukon; and 4 children, who were extremely important to him and so proud of the adults they became, Steve Hill and wife Jane of McKinney, Texas, Roger Hill and wife Teresa of Altus, OK, Mark Hill of Kingsford, MI, and Carolyn Hoge and husband, John of Oklahoma City. He is also survived by grandchildren, Kim Kidder and husband Doug, Kathy Lampkin and husband David, Melissa Kamphaus and husband Zach, Leslie Hoge, Stephen Hoge, Laura Hill, Drew Hill, Shawn Hill; and 8 great-grandchildren.
The Hill families would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Robert Lockwood, Dr. Mel Clark, Dr. Richard Lane, and their staff for their long, continuous caring of Darrell and for their patience and friendship. Also, special thanks to the Spanish Cove Pavilion nursing staff and management who continually helped Darrell throughout his long ordeal with kindness, humor, and constant presence. It was so comforting to us all. And to Faith Hospice for their much needed support and help during this most difficult time.
The family will have a come and go reception for family and friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2014 at the Spanish Cove Pavilion. Memorial services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church of Yukon. Private burial will be in Yukon Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Darrell's name to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas TX 75284-1125 or www.heart.org.
Darrell attended school in Manhattan, Kansas in his early years, later moving with his family to Topeka and graduating from Topeka High School in 1951. He was a talented athlete, helping his football team win the state championship in 1951 and being selected for All State football team that same year. He also excelled in wrestling, winning the state heavyweight championship in 1951.
After high school Darrell took off for Wichita University, now Wichita State University, in Wichita, Kansas, on a football scholarship with nothing but a suitcase with very little in it, having lost most of his clothes in the Topeka flood of 1951. He became the first freshman to make the starting lineup at Wichita University and remained there for 4 years, helping his team win the Missouri Valley Conference the last 2 years and also being selected All Missouri Valley Conference at offensive tackle.
In addition to being a talented athlete, Darrell became an Honor Roll student and was elected Senior Class President at Wichita University. It was during this time at WU that he met the love of his life, Patricia Klopp. They were married on January 17, 1953 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wichita, Kansas. After graduating with his Bachelor's Degree in 1955, Darrell went on to obtain his Master's Degree from WU, while teaching science and coaching football and wrestling in Douglass, Protection, and Wichita, Kansas and eventually Duncan, Oklahoma. The friendships he made at that those schools were a constant in his life.
After 4 years in Duncan, Darrell decided to pursue his doctorate at the University of Oklahoma. He was offered an assistant principals position in Norman and later became principal. He finished his doctorate while working full time and accepted the high school principal job in Ada, Oklahoma where he stayed for 7 years. His first superintendent job was in Blackwell, Oklahoma where he spent 4 years, then one year in Miami, Oklahoma before coming to Yukon where he was superintendent for 15 years. He retired in 1995, culminating 40 years in education.
Over the years, Darrell was active in his professional organizations serving as President of OASSP in 1974-75 and chairperson of CCOSA in 1975-76. He was honored with an OASA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. Darrell also served on the Spanish Cove Trustee Board as Chairman from 2005 to 2012, having to resign due to failing health.
Darrell being a lifelong educator was always asking people he met "Where did you go to school?" More times than not, he could always find a connection with them. He was also proud of the fact that in his younger years, due to his fair and impartial nature, he was asked to referee the Big 8 and the NCAA National Wrestling Tournaments along with many OU-OSU wrestling matches. He enjoyed spending time with his family and not only imparted on them the importance of education and hard work, but also a love of the outdoors. Many weekends and summers were spent at the family cabin at Lake Texoma and the memories will always be cherished. Darrell was a great husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa, coach, teacher, mentor, advisor, son, brother, visionary, teammate, leader and person.
Anyone who knew Darrell recognized that he was a very strong competitor in all that he pursued throughout his lifetime. Starting with his street fighting as a youth in north Topeka in order to survive, on the football field, on the wrestling mat, in the classroom, on the golf course, and as chair of many educational organizations during his long career in education, and lastly, surviving congestive heart failure for 18 years. His strength and presence will be with us forever.
Darrell is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lewis; and sister, Phyllis. His is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pat Hill of Yukon; and 4 children, who were extremely important to him and so proud of the adults they became, Steve Hill and wife Jane of McKinney, Texas, Roger Hill and wife Teresa of Altus, OK, Mark Hill of Kingsford, MI, and Carolyn Hoge and husband, John of Oklahoma City. He is also survived by grandchildren, Kim Kidder and husband Doug, Kathy Lampkin and husband David, Melissa Kamphaus and husband Zach, Leslie Hoge, Stephen Hoge, Laura Hill, Drew Hill, Shawn Hill; and 8 great-grandchildren.
The Hill families would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Robert Lockwood, Dr. Mel Clark, Dr. Richard Lane, and their staff for their long, continuous caring of Darrell and for their patience and friendship. Also, special thanks to the Spanish Cove Pavilion nursing staff and management who continually helped Darrell throughout his long ordeal with kindness, humor, and constant presence. It was so comforting to us all. And to Faith Hospice for their much needed support and help during this most difficult time.
The family will have a come and go reception for family and friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2014 at the Spanish Cove Pavilion. Memorial services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church of Yukon. Private burial will be in Yukon Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Darrell's name to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas TX 75284-1125 or www.heart.org.
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