of Harrison, AR
August 1, 1929 - March 8, 2019
Paul B. Darnell, of Harrison, Arkansas, passed away Friday morning, March 8, 2019, at his home surrounded by family. Paul was born August 1, 1929, to Joseph Berton and Iva Fyrne Darnell, in El Dorado Springs, Missouri.
After graduating from Central College in Fayette, Missouri in 1951, he spent three years in the United States Coast Guard where he had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world. Paul married Sally Lyons, of Nevada, Missouri, on February 12, 1955, and started his career with the Bendix Corporation (now Honeywell) in Kansas City, Missouri, where he worked for thirty-five years. They were blessed with two children.
Paul enjoyed bowling, playing tennis, pool and golf and managing 3&2 baseball teams for several years. Music was his passion. He played the saxophone in big bands and in a small combo all around Kansas City. Paul is a past Shriner's band director and a member of the Masons. He also served one term on the Raytown City Council.
After Paul retired in 1990, he and Sally moved to his home town of El Dorado Springs and stayed there for seventeen years. He played lots of golf and had a big band radio show on the local radio station KSEM every other week. He also did some radio sportscasting for local high school teams. He and Sally spent several winters in Florida, Arizona and South Texas, enjoying the warm weather and meeting new friends. After moving to Harrison, Arkansas in 2007, he spent 10 years playing golf several days a week and meeting a great group of golfers at the Harrison Country Club. He enjoyed the friendships of neighbors in their community and also attended services at CrossRoads Community Church.
Paul is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Sally; two children and their spouses, Paula Darnell and Tom Walters and Jeff and Lois Darnell; two grandchildren, Cory and Adrianne Beddow and Chris and Stefanie Beddow; three great-grandchildren, Grant, Oakley and Ethan Beddow; two sisters, Elenora and Fred Staab and Beverly Darnell. He was preceded in death by one brother, James Bernie Darnell.
There will be a private celebration of life memorial service at a later date.
Donations may be made to Kansas University Medical Center Cancer Research.
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6 Condolence(s)
Chuck Pisano
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Paul was my first manager when I was hired in as a Production Scheduler at the Bendix Plant in 1983. He was wonderful to work for and supported me when I moved to Program Management 4 years later. I have thought of him over the years and will always remember him warmly.
Russ Klement
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Paul hired me to work for him at Bendix as a production planner back in Feb 1981 until his retirement. He knew my father, George who worked there from 1950 until retirement in 1982. I early retired from the Kansas City Plant in 2009 and finished my career as a quality assurance specialist in nuclear weapons at Los Alamos National Laboratory (New Mexico) in Dec 2018. Paul and I remained friends throughout his retirement and exchanged Christmas cards every year. I will always remember Paul as an excellent manager and leader of people, who could trust them to do their job without excessive oversight. He was fair, firm, and right for the mission of national security. He provided me many opportunities to grow in my career, and for that I will always be grateful.
Daphne Ham
Monday, March 18, 2019
My condolences to Paul's family and friends. Paul was one of the first managers I worked for at Bendix (now Honeywell), back in 1982. He was the nicest man! I only worked for him a few months, as it was a temporary assignment, but I would stop by his department occasionally over the years (or see him in the halls) to see how he was doing. Cherish your memories, and God bless.
Bill and Donna Olsen
Friday, March 15, 2019
Sorry for your loss. We are next door if you need anything. Bill and Donna Olsen #14
Jill Gilliam
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Paul was a great man. He would tell some great stories and keep you laughing. He will be missed.
Doris
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
My deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Darnell. Soon, all suffering and death will be no more, may your loved one rest peacefully. Revelation 21:3-5 (jw.org)