Darrell James Laffey born on June 21, 1960, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Harlan F. Laffey and Druzella M. Hummel passed away in his home in Newport on May 20, 2016, after a long battle with colon cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Dawn Laffey; his daughter, Nichole (Skip) Clark, a brother, Frankilin Laffey; nine sisters, Charlene (Michael) Carver, Theressa (Bill) Waldie, Kelly (Dawn) Guptil, Julie Lindahl, Lang Guptil, Cindy (Keith) Hodgeson, Kerry Guptil, Dana Guptil, Deloris Guptil; and many nieces and nephews.
Darrell was a loving son, husband, father, and uncle. He married the love of his life Dawn Hawk in August 1992 where he finally became a father to two wonderful children Nicole Clark and Jesse Ellingson.
Darrell loved children, loved to laugh and joke, loved to have fun and loved to teach. He took in any child available, and became foster dad to more than 13 children after the death of his son Jesse in early 2011.
Darrell had many jobs in life, he had vending business where everyone new him as the candy man. He had a handyman service, where he remodeled houses, including his own.
He loved working with his hands and mind. Constructing, fixing, enhancing or just revamping. He was a mechanic from small engines to vehicles, anything mechanical. He was a carpenter, loved woodworking, a plumber and even electrical.
Darrell loved traveling, the outdoors, camping, playing cards, board games, loved people and entertaining people. Darrell was fun loving, easy going, patient, kind, gentle teddy bear. He was also wacky, goofy, funny, loving, spontaneous, inventive and problem solver.
Darrell had a gentle, funny way of cheering you up and letting you know everything is OK. He would see a child crying and grab a glass to catch the tears and make faces at you while doing it until you laughed.
He was a playground for kids, he would pick them up with the fingers lift them off the ground and swing around. Kids couldn't wait to see him for the fun loving giant friend, loyal, patient, and kind. He always helped those in need.
He looked at everyone like a friend and went out of his way to make more. He had a very giving heart he always gave 100 percent and expected nothing in return.
Darrell was very spontaneous, you never knew what he was going to do from after dark swimming, packing for camping in less than an hour, or a trip on a whim. You didn't know what he was going to do next.
Darrell was always looking for the next laugh, from making faces, tying your shoes together while sleeping, booby trapping luggage. He was always laughing and making others laugh too. He had a great love of life and wanted to share it with anyone and everyone all the time.
From cold winters to hot summers there was always something to teach, if someone wanted to learn. He was patient enough to teach anything. He always had an idea that he wanted to share, he was very creative, taking old and broken and revamping into new and inventive. If you gave Darrell something you wanted to build it and build it for you.
Darrell was a collector of broken and dysfunctional things, from lawn mowers, power tools, appliances, to animals and even people. He went out of his way for those down on their luck, from hot meals, to a ride across town, to taking someone home to a different state. Darrell was quiet, reserved, and soft spoken. He was not center of attention and didn't want to be. He didn't have an angry or mean bone in his body, he was kind and friendly to all.
To know Darrell was to love him, He was a kind, gentle man. He is and always will be missed by all. Our hearts have a huge hole as such a influential man, has gone to a better place without pain and sorrow. Until we meet again in heaven. Rest in peace Darrell/Dad. We love you so much.
Darrell was the youngest of five children.
He is preceded in death by his his dad and mom; a sister, Carol Moen; a son, Jesse Ellingson; a nephew, Scottie Moen; and a sister-in-law, Tana Laffey.
There was a graveside service at 4 p.m. on June 3, 2016, at the Chattaroy Cemetery with a potluck life celebration to follow at the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Lauer Funeral Home, Deer Park, was in charge of arrangements.