3/13/2023 8:32:00 AM
Darrow, Donald Laverne
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Donald Laverne Darrow, age 90, of Mineral Point, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 9, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Don was born on July 25, 1932 to Wilfred and Marion (Hughes) Darrow. He married Lois Ann Parkinson on February 9, 1957. They spent 65 years together until her passing on March 4, 2022.
Dad served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a member of the VFW and American Legion. After his time in the service, Don worked for Wick Buildings as a foreman until his back injury in the late 1970s. He spent many days with special friends including Ted Weier, Ed Spitzbarth, John Keyes and Clyde Mullen working on cars and equipment and just shooting the breeze together. He was always ready and willing to lend a hand. Dad loved to tinker and was always working on a project. He could take a pile of scraps and turn them into his own masterpiece, even creating his own building out of materials he collected over the years.
Dad loved going to auctions and would often come home with a wagon load that only cost him a quarter. He could always find a treasure. Don enjoyed going antiquing and had a love for brass horses and tobacco tins. Dad loved to read and his chair was always surrounded with books, preferably westerns. The same was true for movies, and John Wayne was his favorite.
Dad adored his family and was always so happy whenever anyone stopped by to see him, especially the grandkids. He was most comfortable in his whitey tighties with his bottle of Old Grand Dad 114 close at hand, or in his words, his mouthwash. Dad loved to share stories with us of his younger and wilder days and we loved to listen.
Don is survived by his six children, Dan (Mary), Rickey, Kitty (Clyde), Steve, Penney (Randy) and Kanndie (Jason); 11 grandchildren, Ryan, Christina (John), Matthew (Jasmine), Stephen, Storm, Winndie (Nick), Shaffen, Brooks (Kaylie), TyDen (Michell), Bella and Brooklyn; his brother Gene (Millie), sister-in-law, Delores, wife of brother, David and sister-in-law, Jeanette, wife of brother, Mick; as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Along with his wife and parents, Don was preceded in death by his siblings William (Betty), Robert (Mary), Mick, Mary Lou (George), David, Barbara (Roger) and Jerry; and his grandson, Nathan.
Dad was truly a fighter. He had his way of doing things, or according to him, the right way. "Because I said so" was something we heard a lot. He was strong and stubborn, but also a big teddy bear. He would tell it to us straight, but we could always count on Dad to be there for us. Dad, we will miss your little smirk and wink, but are so grateful your pain is over and you and Mom are together again.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville. Burial will be held in Graceland Cemetery in Mineral Point. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 10:50 a.m. on Thursday at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville.
Gorgen-McGinley & Ayers
Funeral Home
www.gorgenfh.com
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