James "Jim" Darnell

James "Jim" William Darnell of Waco, formerly of McGregor, passed away Thursday afternoon April 28, 2022, at the age of 91.  A visitation will be 5:00PM to 7:00PM Tuesday, May 3, 2022 in the Chapel of Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Dr, Woodway, TX.  Another visitation will be 10:00AM Wednesday May 4, 2022, in the Chapel of Grace Gardens Funeral Home followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00AM with Rev. Ken Young officiating. Interment will follow in Waco Memorial Park.

Jim Darnell was born February 6, 1931, in Haskell, Texas, the son of William Henry and Dura Maylene (Pirkle) Darnell. He began working in sales at an early age and eventually owned businesses in McGregor, Waco and other locations in Texas.  Mr. Darnell served on the McGregor School Board for 12 years, the Board of the Methodist Church in McGregor, the Food Pantry at the First Methodist Church in Waco, Co-Chairman of the McGregor Airport in the 1960’s, joined the Masonic Lodge Masons in 1954, and the Waco Scottish Rite and Shriners in 1958. He loved family, cooking, hunting, golf, and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, June Darnell; sisters Dorcas Walker, Eunice Helweg; brothers Floyd Darnell, Charles Darnell, and daughter Cathy Dixon Gilliam.

Survivors include daughters Carol  Gaboury and husband Richard of Wilmington, OH; Vickie Biggerstaff and husband Alan of  Conroe, TX; Peggy Dixon Jezek of  Waco, TX;  sons John  Briley and wife Lisa of Cleburne, TX; Perry Darnell, Huntsville, TX; Jimmy Dixon  and wife Jenny of  Hewitt, TX; Billy Dixon and wife Jackie of, Ft. Worth, TX, and a proud granddad to 19 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandson, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Active pallbearers will be Adrian Biggerstaff, Justin Biggerstaff, Brian Townley, Evan Jezek, Tim Burke, Sean Kostohryz, and Chris Bryan.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dylan Jezek, Dillion Dixon and Timothy Dixon.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggest memorial contributions to be made to the McGregor Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 192, McGregor, Texas 76657 or The Shriners Hospital for Children in Galveston, Texas.

Registry for James Darnell