Darrel Dean Greenwell, age 83, of McKinney, Texas passed away April 3, 2014. He was born on April 17, 1930, in Martinsville, Illinois, to Leo Golden and Lilly Pearl (Byrum) Greenwell. He proudly and bravely served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, helping to keep the world and South Koreans free and safe. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal w/ 3 Bronze Service Stars, on Over Seas Badge, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Combat Infantry Badge.
Darrel attended Eastern Illinois University, Wichita State University, and Kansas State University graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. He engineered for Allis-Chalmers and Boeing after graduating. He spent the bulk of his career as a civil servant. In the sixties, he helped NASA send men to the moon. In the seventies, he worked at the EPA, Environmental Protection Agency and DOE, Department of Energy. After retiring from civil service, he returned to the private sector in the eighties and nineties. He finally retired permanently as an engineer for defense contractor Rockwell.
He moved to Mesa, Arizona after retiring and spent several years with his cousin and best friend, Allen Cunningham. He moved back to the Dallas area and finished his life near his families. He loved the hobby and avocation of amateur radio operation. His license was WA5PNP. If he was on the amateur radio, chances are he was on with “Uncle Allen” aka K9IGM. He says “73, 88, OM out. I’m leaving it all to you lids.”
Nothing made Darrel happier than watching his grandchildren fish in the pond behind our house. He requested that his cremated remains be sprinkled in that pond so he could spend eternity there, in a place he loved so much.
Darrel is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Pearl Greenwell, two brothers and two sisters. He is survived by two sons, Dr. James M. Greenwell and wife Elizabeth, of Weston, Texas, Ronny Greenwell and wife Beverly Jan, of Houston, Texas; and sisters Janell Schmitt, of Conroe, Texas, and Norma Greenwell Costello, of Chicago, Illinois, and wife, Sue Hascal Greenwell. Darrel is also survived by four grandchildren.
We give thanks to the doctors and staff of Baybrooke Nursing Home and his special care giver, Gloria. They all took great care of Darrel at the end of his life.
In lieu of flowers, Darrel wished for donations made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He spent the golden years of his life debilitated by the Charcot-Marie-Tooth, a disease of the nerves and muscles of his legs. This is a link to information on this disease: http://www.cmtausa.org/. Follow this link to donate and to help cure Muscular Dystrophy and other debilitating diseases: http://www.mda.org
The families will hold private memorial services at later dates.