Warren Eugene Darnell, beloved father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 90 on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. He was born in Roanoke, Virginia on September 7, 1931 to the late Glen Baylor Darnell and Nanny Virginia Wassum Darnell, the second of four children.
When Gene was a child growing up with his two brothers and sister, their father would take them to Elmwood Park where their father who was the State Champion in Horse Throwing would practice every evening. Afterward on the way home, they would stop off at the Clover Creamer for ice cream.
Gene made his own money as a child by working a paper route daily. With the money, he purchased a Wizzer, a bicycle with a small gas motor on it. At 14 years of age, Gene rode his Wizzer 250 miles from Roanoke, Virginia to Gaithersburg, Maryland to visit his Grandparents. After two days of visiting, he rode his Wizzer 211 miles from Gaithersburg, Maryland to Norfolk, Virginia to visit his Aunt and Uncle. While in Norfolk, his Aunt and Uncle bought him his first car, a 1937 Ford 2 door sedan.
Gene attended William Byrd High School where he fell in love with Nancy Laura Durham. However war loomed and Gene was called out of the reserves on Halloween weekend 1950 and was sent to Marine Boot Camp at Paris Island. Gene was placed in the 1st Marine Division, 7th Regiment, Weapons Company. He was deployed to Korea in 1951 and served his country as a machine gunner until 1952 fighting for South Korea Freedom.
Gene was sent home early 1952 and married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Durham, on June 24, 1952. Together they had four children, Dennis, Debra, Doug and Laura Jean.
Gene worked at General Electric Company his whole career and retired from there in 1991.
Gene's favorite things to do started with his family. His grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren adored him. Anytime he would visit, they would holler out "it's Grandaddy, it's Grandaddy" and rush out to his truck and hug him and walk him into the house. Gene also enjoyed classic cars and trucks. Many times he would drive his 1969 Chevrolet Camaro around the Roanoke area for other people to enjoy as much as he did. Gene also loved to garden and the fresh food it supplied. He was a Master Gardener of food and also flowers. He loved the colors the flowers supplied and the butterflies and bees that were attracted. He also loved to ride his Harley-Davidson on day trips to Washington, DC to the Vietnam Memorial, or the Cherry Blossoms Festival or a trip into the mountains. He finally gave up riding the Harley at the age of 86, but still turns his head when he saw one. He loved to travel to the beaches to visit relatives and family and friends. He was on the go all the time.
Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Durham Darnell; his son, Doug; and brothers, Glenn and Tommy Darnell. He is survived by his sister, Betty; son, Dennis Darnell; daughter, Debbie Darnell and husband, Dave Crouse; daughter, Laura Jeanne Kelley and husband, Terry Kelley; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews; and special friend, Glenn
A funeral service with Military Honors by the U. S. Marine Corps and the DAV will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Oakey's Vinton Chapel with Pastor Rob Colwell officiating. Interment will follow in the Bandy Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 5, 2022 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the funeral home.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in his name, please consider the Wounded Warriors Project.
Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel, 540-982-2221.