Mary Darlene Yadon

Mary Darlene Yadon (nee Edwards) was born April 15, 1937 at home in Burkburnett, Texas. She was the youngest and last surviving member of her nuclear family. She was named after her maternal grandmother, Mary Nedbalek Kubosh, but her family all called her by her middle name Darlene. Darlene was nearly 6 feet tall when grown and of course, played basketball in high school.

She met Virgil Floyd Yadon in January 1956 while he was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, where she was a civilian typist. After dating briefly, Virgil asked Darlene’s dad if he could marry his daughter, and Darlene’s dad replied, “Oh boy, has it already come to that?” They were married June 1, 1956.

Within 3 weeks of getting married Virgil was deployed to Japan (his CO told him if he got married he’d be shipped to Japan) for 18 months. Their oldest son, Randy was born in March, 1957 while Virgil was in Japan. When Virgil returned to the US, he wanted to “re-up” and stay in the Air Force. Darlene was bitter about them being separated for the first 18 months of marriage and discouraged Virgil (insert had a fit and put her foot down) and he said OK. They moved to Klamath Falls, OR, where Virgil was from. Darlene thought she had left planet Earth because there was no “Dr. Pepper” sold in any stores in Oregon. She was not pleased. While in Klamath Falls, they had 2 more sons, Ricky and Robert.

They chased many rainbows in their lives and lived in Missoula MT, Lawton OK, back to Burkburnett, TX, Oakdale, LA, Many, LA, Sacramento, CA and ultimately Redding CA, for over 40 years. Virgil passed away in April, 2007 and Darlene remained in Redding until October 2016, when she moved to Sacramento to be nearer her beloved Sacramento Kings and family. She had season tickets even before returning to Sacramento and was at every home game when she was well enough to attend. Know that the word “fan” is short for “fanatic” and Darlene was a King’s fanatic. She would go to the arena and watch the game in person and then immediately go home and watch it again on TV. She said she needed to see the replays and hear the commentary while it was fresh in her mind. She was often up watching the game on TV until 3:00 AM; a real fanatic.

Her above family will all miss her greatly, including Daughter-in-law, Elizabeth (Beth) Russo Yadon, Son-in-law, John Degen, Grand children Tiffany Mildrow, and husband William Muldrow, Jr., Brianna Yadon, and husband Joel Flores, Cassy Yadon, Miranda Yadon, including Miranda’s girlfriend Samantha Niedzielski. She had too many extended family to mention here, but all who knew her are grieving her loss.

We know that Darlene now has the best seat in the house to watch her Kings play.