Darrell Leon Apple

Darrell Leon Apple passed away peacefully at his home on December 30, 2025, in Liberty, Missouri. He was 99 years old and leaves behind a legacy of service, faith, creativity, and storytelling that will live on through generations.

Darrell was married in 1954 to the love of his life, Charlotte Kimmel, at Faubion United Methodist Church, and together they shared 71 years of marriage. They raised four children: Paul (Cheryl), Tim, Mary Anne (Mike), and Tom. Their family grew to include 17 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, and many nieces and nephews. Darrell was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Jacqueline Rimel; his son, Kimberly Dean McKinley; and his daughter-in-law, Ricki (Adams) Apple, wife of Tom. He was born on Halloween 1926 in Carlisle, Indiana, to George Leon and Neva Claudine (Alexander) Apple.

Darrell grew up in the Swope Park area of Kansas City and graduated from Southeast High School in 1944. He later attended Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri, before being drafted into the United States Army in early 1945. A proud World War II veteran, Darrell served his country from 1945 to 1949 with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He served in Europe during the Liberation and was a member of Eisenhower’s Guard. Darrell was deeply proud of his service and often credited his success in the Army to the skills and discipline he learned as a Boy Scout. Following his military service, Darrell worked as a photographer in Indiana before returning to Kansas City, where he was employed at International Milling. It was there that he met Charlotte, the woman who would become his partner in all things life. In 1962, Darrell became the first successful State Farm agent in Liberty, Missouri. His career was marked by integrity, dedication, and service, earning him numerous awards and trips through State Farm over the years. He took great pride in the relationships he built with his clients and the Liberty community. A devoted man of faith, Darrell was a member of Faubion United Methodist Church, Liberty United Methodist Church, and Broadway United Methodist Church for more than 70 years. During that time, he served as an interim volunteer minister at Faubion, sang in the church choir, and faithfully contributed through many church groups and committees. Scouting was a lifelong passion for Darrell. He inspired four generations of involvement in the Boy Scouts of America. As a youth scout, he spent time at Bartle Scout Camp in Osceola, Missouri, earning merit badges from H. Roe Bartle himself. Darrell often shared how those early badges—first aid, cleanliness, and survival skills—proved invaluable during his military service. After retiring from State Farm, in 1992 Darrell and Charlotte purchased and fully renovated a historic home in Plattsburg, Missouri, where they opened Charlotte’s Apple Blossom Inn. For ten years, they operated the bed and breakfast, becoming beloved hosts to friends, family, and travelers alike, with Charlotte in the kitchen and Darrell providing the entertainment.

Darrell was an artist at heart. He loved photography, woodworking, painting, sailing his boat Alizé on Lake Perry in Kansas, smoking his pipe while reading the classics, and later in life, walking the golf course. He cherished adventures with Charlotte, family camping trips, pie & coffee, card games, puzzles, solitaire, and afternoon “wine time.” Above all, he loved telling stories. Darrell will be remembered most for his storytelling—stories that taught lessons, sparked laughter, and connected generations. He showed his family what it means to be a loving husband, a devoted father, and how to truly live life well. To them, he was—and always will be—a legend.

Services will be held at White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Rd., Gladstone, MO 64119 on January 16, 2026. Visitation will begin at 12:00 Noon, followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. A Graveside Service with full military honors will follow. Floral Tributes may be sent to the funeral home. Donations may be made in Darrell’s name to the Faubion United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, (816) 436-1882. Please share memories and condolences on the White Chapel Funeral Home website.

For those unable to attend the service in person, the family has made a Livestream available. Click the Join Livestream link in the Memorial Service listing below. It will be active just before the Memorial Service begins at 2:00 PM on Friday.