Darrell Britt

With heavy hearts we announce the death of our father Darrell Lane Britt. Darrell died on July 13, 2010 after a long illness, with his family by his side. Memorial service will be Monday at 2pm at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel.
Darrell was born August 30, 1936 in Tecumseh, Oklahoma to the late Robert Henry and Dorothy McConnell Britt. Darrell grew up in Lyford, TX where he excelled in sports. With a passion for football, he was captain of his team and helped to lead them to a State Championship. He also earned personal All-State honors and a scholarship to play at Texas A & I University. In addition to football, he was also a talented boxer and was the Golden Gloves Champ of the Rio Grande Valley in 1955.

In 1958, Darrell married his high school sweetheart, the late Gay Roberts Britt and the couple moved to Austin, TX. While running service stations in Austin, Darrell honed his skills as a mechanic and was also known for great customer service. His great customer service reputation lead him to a life changing opportunity. In 1964, he moved to Waco to take a job as a beauty supply salesman with the largest wholesale beauty distributor in the state. He went on to purchase the Waco and surrounding territories and ran one of the most successful beauty supply stores in the company’s history.

Darrell was very active in the community, not only with the salon industry, but also in many horse show and rodeo associations. He was a favorite announcer at rodeos and horse shows and was known for his stories and knowledge of not only the contestants, but also their horses. He had a weekly local radio show for some years as well, updating horse enthusiast on local events and info. He served on many boards and committees and worked hard to improve and enhance the events, with the youth of the sport, or cause, as his motivation.

Darrell loved his family deeply and was a fixture at every event his children and wife were involved in. Whether it was his daughters’ rodeos or basketball games, or his son’s high school or college football games…he was always there cheering and was usually the loudest. One of his proudest moments was just this past Mother’s Day, when he managed to go to the track with his son to watch him race and win. “Never give up, never quit, fight ‘til you can’t fight anymore.”

His amazing ability to inspire and motivate touched many. His leadership brought education to the salons in the area with many reaching new heights of success along with the improved technical skills of the stylist. Darrell won countless awards and accolades in the beauty industry. He retired in 2001 to the farm he was so proud of, in McGregor, TX to tinker on his cars, take care of his cattle, and play with his beloved dogs.

Darrell touched the lives of so many people. He preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 39 years, Gay R. Britt, his favorite dog Paco, and his sister, Maxine Smith and her husband JD Smith, who was like a brother to him.

He is survived by his older sister, Twana Britt Stohler, and best friend and girlfriend, Clarice Swanson. His children, son, Lane Britt, and daughters, Darri Coots and her husband Lloyd, Lacy Bossinakis and her husband Nicholas. His grandchildren Delaney and Camille Britt, Calen Coots, Niko and Alex Lane Bossinakis, also his new rescue pup, Moose, as well as many other cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Darrell requested that donations be made to Fuzzy Friends Animal Rescue at www.fuzzyfriendsrescue.com and McGregor Volunteer EMS, PO Box 237, McGregor, Tx 76657.