Larry D. Darnell

Larry Dean Darnell, 80, of Galesburg, died at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at his home. He was born February 20, 1942, in Yakima, Washington, the son of Norman Huston and Geraldine Marie (Litke) Darnell. He was raised and educated in Milwaukie, Oregon, graduating from Milwaukie High School in 1960. Larry then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his four-year enlistment, he proudly served on thirteen different ships during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge from military service, Larry became a police officer in Lincoln City, Oregon. He began attending college in Portland, Oregon, where he met the love of his life, Carolyn Ann Jones. They were married March 31, 1970 in Long Beach, California. Together they moved to southern California where they resided for 30 years. During his time in California, Larry attended and graduated from California State University Fullerton and worked as an accountant at USPS, retiring after 25 years. Larry enjoyed fishing, golfing, reading, and spending time with his grandchildren. Larry taught boxing and karate classes at the YMCA and Boys Club for many years. Left to cherish Larry’s memory is his loving wife of 52 years, Carolyn Darnell of Galesburg; one son, David Dean Baldwin of Gresham, Oregon; three daughters, Debbi Palmer of Sherwood, Oregon, Diana (Wiley “Ray”) Barnes of Galesburg, and Jennifer (Ibrahim Michael) Ramirez of Moline, Illinois; ten grandchildren, Andrew Barnes, Dillon Barnes, Jessica (Branden) Bailey, Jamie (Brave) Sheehan, Hailey (Chase) Pirmann, Kristin (Joey) Prentice, Garrett Baldwin, Cameron Baldwin, Ryan Baldwin, and McKenna Palmer; and four great grandchildren, Leilani Bailey, Maddox Sheehan, Maddi Prentice, and Delaney Prentice. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Private family services with military rites will be held at the Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to Hospice Compassus. Thank you to the staff of Hospice Compassus for the wonderful care and compassion shown to our hero during his final days. We hope you all know how much your kindness means to all of us. ~ The Family of Larry Darnell.