Mr. Darron “Choppers” Ingram (D.I.)

Darron “Choppers” Ingram (D.I.), a friend to everyone he ever met and athlete/story-teller extraordinaire, died Wednesday, December 30, 2020 in San Antonio, TX after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s Disease and a recent bout with COVID-19.  He was 72 years of age. 

D.I. was born in Henrietta, Texas on July 25, 1948, to proud parents Mack and Mary Edna Ingram.  D.I. confessed Christ at an early age; as colorfully expressed by him many times over the years, he was exempt from church as an adult because he had to go “all the time” as a youth, under Mary Edna’s ever-watchful eye.  In his later years, he was re-acclimated to the Lord and was a believer in His ways and words, at the time of his death.

At a young age, D.I. moved to Wichita Falls, TX where he matriculated through Wichita Falls’ schools for his elementary and secondary schooling.  He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School (Wichita Falls, TX) in the Spring of 1966.  

In his own words (with embellishments solely attributed to him), D.I. immediately departed Wichita Falls, TX on the day after high school graduation, in order to head to the big city of Houston, Texas.  His first marriage to Ms. Carolyn Hunt resulted in the birth of his oldest daughter, Alicia Ingram.  In parallel to these events, D.I. matriculated to the University of Houston – Central Campus; it is at UH that D.I. served as a charter/founding member, in the Spring of 1971, of one of the great joys of his life:  the “Ignut” Eta Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.  

D.I. enlisted in the U.S. Army, and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, until his honorable discharge in 1971.  In parallel to his studies at UH and his active membership in Eta Mu, D.I. met Sharon Ann DeWalt (of Houston, TX), an AKA from around the way at Texas Southern University.  To let him tell it, Sharon immediately fell for D.I.’s charm, dazzling smile and personality; the actual truth may veer from D.I.’s colorful recollection of events.  D.I. and Sharon’s subsequent marital union lasted 47 years, up until his death.  This union resulted in the births of LaToya J.D. Ingram, Brittani Ingram Sallans, and Darron Ingram II.

In pursuit of higher education (which he was a sound and vocal champion of), D.I. earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education in 1975 from Prairie View University.  He went on to earn his Master’s of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1985.  

Throughout his lifetime, D.I. excelled at sports, with a particular love of baseball, tennis, and his favorite of all:  golf.  Many a Saturday afternoon was spent on golf courses across Houston and San Antonio, with a focus on perfecting the game he loved (and occasionally taking a side bet or two).  D.I.’s love of all sports, including his beloved Dallas Cowboys, was instrumental in his professional life; he found his calling  as the Athletic Director at Beeville Naval Air Station (Beeville, TX) and Kingsville Naval Air Station (Kingsville, TX) for 20+ years, prior to his retirement in 2004.  

D.I. has reunited with those who preceded him in death:  parents (Mack and Mary Edna Ingram); siblings (Faye Blanton, Wilmer Ingram, Mack Earl Ingram, Joyce Ingram, Gail Ingram, and Goretha Young); a beloved and fellow Eta Mu line brother and close friend (Record Lee Sampson); and a host of affiliated close friends and family.  

D.I. is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Sharon Ingram; his children: Alicia, LaToya, Brittani (John), and Darron II (Raleigh); his siblings:  Mattie Adams, Doris Young, Bobby Ingram (Delois), Gilda Williams (K.P.), and Wanda Ingram; four grandchildren:  Ashli, Ava, Violet, and Henry Darron; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, close friends, and golfing buddies/partners that span 50+ years.  

The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff of Las Colinas at Westover Hills in San Antonio for the care and love that was provided to D.I. over the past 4 years, including a special thanks to Ms. Apryl Champion and Ms. Ambrosia.  The family would also like to thank the caregivers and staff of Freedom Hospice for their care and support for D.I. and the entire family over the past month.  

There will be a visitation and funeral service held for D.I. on Saturday, January 9th, 2021 at North Main Church of God in Christ (7206 N. Main Street; Houston, TX).  Interment will follow at Houston National Cemetery on Monday, January 11, 2021; the interment is limited to immediate family and siblings.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance at all events is limited and subject to restrictions (face masks are required to be worn for the duration of ALL events). A repast will not be held at this time; we hope to celebrate D.I.’s life (with a Temptations tune or two) at a later time in 2021.  

In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations in D.I.’s name to one of the following entities:  The Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist, The Alzheimer’s Association, The First Tee of Greater Houston, or Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (via the “Donate” option:  https://my.apa1906.net/Shop/Donate).