The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Darrell Neil Whittington passed away Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, while residing at The Harmony Home in Yuma at the age of 89.

Darrell was born on July 7, 1932 in Sterling, to Dwight and Viola (Held) Whittington while they were farming south of Fleming. During the Depression, they left their family farm and moved to Fort Collins in 1935, then to Denver in the spring of '42 and to Cambria, Calif. in the fall of '42 during World War II; back to Denver for one year, then settled in Fort Collins where he graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1950.

His love for farming began at the early age of 12 when he would spend his entire summers helping various uncles on their farms south of Fleming. He began farming after high school for his grandpa, Phillip Held, and uncle Clarence Held until he was drafted into the Army in 1952. He served in Salzburg, Austria, as a mechanic in the Ordnance Division. This proved to be beneficial for when he resumed his farming career which allowed him to work on his own equipment. He was very lucky to have been sent to Europe instead of Korea during that time. He was Honorably Discharged in 1954, upon which time he returned to farming and took advantage of the GI Bill and attended Colorado A & M University (CSU). He farmed for two quarters and went to school for two quarters. As a result, it took him six years to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree.

On March 22, 1956, he married Jean Churchill in Loveland; to this union three children were born: Lynda Jean, Susan Ranee and Dale James. He continued to farm south of Fleming with his son Dale and eventually two grandsons, Derek and Drew, until he "retired," but continued to help on the farm through 2020 at which time Darrell and Jean moved into Harmony Home in Yuma.

Throughout the years, Darrell did numerous side jobs to support his family. He taught math, science and shop at Lone Star School for one semester, he worked several campaigns at the GW Sugar Beet Factory in Sterling and he sold cars with his good friend Lloyd Stanley. In addition to his love of farming, he also acquired the love of collecting and restoring antique tractors along with proudly showing them off. He served on the Fleming School Board for eight years and was a lifetime member of the Sterling Elks BPOE Lodge #1336.

He is survived by his wife Jean of 65 years; daughters Lynda Whittington, Winston-Salem, N.C., and Susie and husband Mitch Gebauer, Arvada; son Dale and wife Maureen Whittington, Fleming; grandchildren Derek and wife Sarah Whittington, Fleming, Drew Whittington, Fleming, and Lauren Whittington, Imperial, Neb.; great-grandchildren Lucy, Jojo and Blue Whittington, all of Fleming; sister Marilynn and husband Dave Perry, Greenwood, Ind., and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Dwight and Viola Whittington; sister Gwendolyn Whittington; infant grandson Dustin Dale Whittington; and niece Sondra DiGrazia.

Funeral services were held Aug. 6 at Trinity Lutheran Church officiated by Pastor James Nash followed by a military graveside services at the Fleming Cemetery.