Rodney C Darrah

Rodney Carter Darrah, born March 2, 1947 in Scottsburg, Indiana, passed away in his home on March 6, 2024 in Beavercreek, Ohio. Over 56 of his 77 years were spent with his wife and high school sweetheart, Martha Carol Darrah (Macy). He is survived by Martha, his children, Jason Darrah (Sara) and Amanda Darrah, grandchildren, Mason and Carter Darrah, sisters, Jacqueline Franz and Jill Wright as well as a host of other family and friends. He is preceded in death by his brother, William (Bill) Darrah, and parents Byron (Barney) and Mary Alice Darrah (Carter).

He was a loving and generous husband, father, and grandfather who loved to get together for holidays and parties. He was known to rock out on an air guitar and sing voraciously while listening to his headphones.

While his lifelong dream was to be a cowboy, later a garage mechanic with his father and brother, Rod’s professions were broken into three phases. His love of math translated into becoming a physicist. He began as a researcher at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and worked his way up to Vice President at UES. He then worked as church administrator at Beavercreek Christian Church (BCC). Finally both in grad school and later in his pseudo retirement he worked as an educator, the latter for Sinclair Community College.

Regardless of where he worked, he was concerned about improving the lives of others around him: protesting for equality in college, sponsoring citizenship for UES employees, visiting parishioners in crisis while at BCC, and encouraging his students while imparting his math and physics knowledge.

Rod was a sports enthusiast especially if a hoosier basketball team was involved. It’s been lightly conjectured that his broken heart over Indiana State’s recent loss may have contributed to his passing.

He brought magic and laughter to those that knew him. He was always ready with a joke, especially if it would illicit a groan or an eye roll from his audience. Little kids would wonder at seeing Santa Clause around town and Rod would get a twinkle in his eye and ask if they had been good with a quiet “ho, ho, ho” as he walked away.

When illness stole his mobility he turned to building lego kits. His family are all grateful that he didn’t age out at the company’s 99 year limit. Pirate ships, Disney castles, and sweet Christmas scenes often decorated the family living room the last decade or so of his life.

A visitation for Rodney will be held Monday, April 15, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Tobias Funeral Home, 3970 Dayton Xenia Road, Beavercreek, Ohio, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 AM.