Dear Judy and Family,

So very sorry to hear about Darrell's passing.  I still can't believe it.  He was one of my favorite "characters" within our World Book family.  I always looked for him at ever WB gathering as I enjoyed visiting with him about every subject that came along.  Darrell was a fantastic person.  Not only did he have a witty sense of humor he cared by everyone.  Always willing to share any World Book selling tips with everyone.

My wife, Shirley, looked forward to visiting with Judy at every occasion as well.  It seemed those two hit it off with their pleasant personalities.  Of course, we both loved to listen to Darrell's corny jokes.

I would count Darrell as one of my very best World Book friends.  I was so very much looking forward to seeing him at a WB reunion that is being planned for the near future.

May the Lord have his blessing on you, Judy, and your family.

Love,
Dale and Shirley Weber



   Darrell has been one of my best friends for close to 65+ years.  It's difficult to summarize a relationship over that period.  He was always as a child and adult one of the happiest people I've ever known.  It's difficult to remember a time when he was angry with someone and showed that emotion.  Can't ever remember an argument we had.  
   We spent a lot of time with another friend, Rudolph King.  We played sports and had fun in the neighborhood.  It was like a three family---Big family!  Darrell was the biggest, but the slowest--an advantage for "little" me.  Played, ate, and studied together.
   In high school, Darrell loved debate and speech.  He played football also.  The speech teacher, Mr. Eaton, called him "Thompson", never Darrell.  Mrs. Eaton remembered him well since he participated in speech and debate most years in high school.  She sent her condolences when I informed her of his death.  Her husband died a few years ago.
   My wife loved watching him dance. He would dip and twirl always with a smile on his face. Tona was his favorite dance partner in those school years. I know we called him "Twinkletoes" because he was so light on his feet.  A funny thing that seemed to happen at every dance was that Darrell had to dance every dance!  However, he would sweat profusely which gave "Sweatin' to the oldies" real meaning!!😅😅
   Trustworthy, loyal, reverent, friendly, courteous...  He fit all of those.  Devotion to family, friends, and faith ---  How many people do you know who could check all of those boxes?  Makes a mom, wife, daughter, friend... proud to have known him.
  He  will be missed and can't be replaced, but weren't we fortunate to have crossed his path?  If he had a positive influence on you, don't hold on to it; pass it on to someone.  
   He was quite a guy and I'm proud to say, "My friend."

Anyone fortunate enough to have been acquainted with Darrell is a better person for having known this fine man. It is impossible not to smile while remembering his warm, friendly face and his mischievous, twinkling eyes. Darrell radiated kindness, joy and a zest for life that was contagious. 

Brother Thompson, it's been well over 20 years since you were my teacher, but I'll never forget you. All these years later, when I'm having a hard time, I think, "Brother Thompson would know what I should do. I should talk to him." You were wise, kind, practical, joyful, and very spiritual, in a way that was relatable. You gave me good solid advice, and never made me feel bad for my struggles. I'm so sad you have left this earth, but I look forward to seeing you again. You're one of the best men I've known.

Darrell was such a wonderful person!  I’m thankful I had the pleasure of knowing him.  His smile and kind heart will not be forgotten.  My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.

I first met Judy and Darrell in the Lacey Washington stake.  What a great team they were.   Always willing to serve in whatever calling, both in and out of church.  He was too young for a heavenly recall.  He will be missed. 

Darrell Was a great man and a good friend. Darrell helped with a Youth Pioneer Trek 22 years ago and was instrumental in changing some young men’s lives.

Darrell, was a customer of mine, for a short period of time in Olympia.  He was proud to be a southern boy and was very fond of our biscuits and gravy.    As he waited for them to be prepared we discovered that we had gone to the same ward in years past, and shared stores each time he would swing by.   I haven’t seen him in a long while, but have thought about his sweet spirit.  Although our interactions we through a drive thru, he lit up the room so to speak.   Always a smile.   I’m sad to hear of his passing.  

Judy & Family,

It has taken me a few days to absorb the fact that Darrell is no longer with us. During that time I have been able to reflect on the great man that Darrell was and the tremendous impact that he has had on my life. 

I first met Darrell at my first ever World Book meeting about 16 years ago. The first time he met me he took me under his wing as a mentor and friend. I could tell that we were going to be best friends - and that was definitely true these past 16 years. He taught me how to be successful and have fun!

Darrell had the ability to light up a room. I think because we are both very outgoing personalities we often fed off of each other. Darrell had that mischievous side to him that I absolutely LOVED. If you take a look at the picture that I have attached to this post, you will see the two of us in Puerto Rico on a World Book incentive trip - where neither of us wanted to be working but we had to be on a conference call. We had the call on mute the whole time - laughing at the fact that we were on a beach and everyone else was back home in March in cold weather. Darrell taught me long ago, work HARD and play HARDER! 

The past couple of years, Darrell and I have spent a great deal of our time talking sports. I am an Aggie and he is a Cougar, but we both bonded through our love of sports - specifically BYU and Utah State sports. He would constantly ask about my son Zack, who is now in high school and Darrell would ask how baseball was going for him. We both knew that when we called each other that it was a 30-45 minute minimum on the phone catching up! 

Judy, may the Lord bless you and your family at this time. The lives of everyone that Darrell came in contact with will be positively impacted forever. We are all better people for having known Darrell Thompson!!! I am thankful that Darrell was able to meet my wife and two of my kids, they heard me talk of him often around the house. He was a true friend! 

God bless,

Rob Geertsen
Draper, Utah

I'm  so sad, I just can't imagine the world without Darrell, he was such a positive, happy person. We graduated from high school together and continued our education together at BYU where he was known as " Okie" . My most recent memories are when I visited my sister Ramona in Seattle and we had "cousin night" where we played games and shared memories from our growing up years of our aunts, uncles, cousins , grandparents, and. great grandparents. Farewell  dear cousin.

Darrell was a great friend and the best boss I’ve ever worked for, hands down.  He taught me how to love my job with World Book with his jovial devotion and example!  Though I haven’t been able to work with him for the last few years, my memories are as strong as ever.  Wish we could have another get together at the cabin!  Sincerely, Doug & Pat Ferkin

I have lots of fond memories of Darrell. He was a man who loved life and passed that love to everyone he knew. My early memories were from after his mission in McAlester when he worked in the Young Men's program. I remember him teaching us all the "worm song". You know . . . "Everybody hates me, nobody likes me. Think I'm going too eat some worms." He also taught us Young Men how to tuck our shirt tails in and the importance of being well-groomed.

My other memories have to do with family get-together where we visited, ate and played games. His family loves to play games and my family loved getting to share in those evenings.

Our mothers were 1st cousins and I think that made us 2nd cousins, but we just considered ourselves cousins. I'm grateful to have had my life touched by one who was such a great example of Christ-like love. All of his family were blessed to have been a part of his life. Love you, Cuz!

I remember the first time I met Brother Thompson.  It was in the Chapel. He came to where I was sitting, introduced himself, shook my hand and asked me my name. He always made a point to shake my hand and say hello. I got to where I was looking for him when I entered the chapel. A very gentle soul will be missed by many.  A beautiful family! 

Another good man has gone home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ. I know he will be missed by his family and those who were close to him but we all must remember “this life is a test” and we all know Darrell passed with flying colors. Love your family.  

Judy and family,
I have so many great fond memories working with Darrell at World Book.
Darrell was one of those rare breeds of men that believed in living life full & living it large! His stories were above and beyond most, he had so many of them to share. His strong compassion for love, life, work, happiness, and religion resonated  from his soul.
He will be truly missed, I am so sorry for your loss.
My Deepest Sympathies, Karen Lee-Fischbach


Darrell was absolute fun and joy wrapped up in one person. He always had a huge smile on his face and could always bring a smile to mine whenever I had the pleasure to spend time with him at World Book events. He will be missed, and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm gonna miss him like crazy! His natural joy always filled the room, he always had a smile and a good word for everyone, and just hearing him carry on always cheered you up. He was an extraordinarily GOOD man. If you listened closely, he was always teaching by example, and he taught me how to be a World Booker. Never could dance as good as him, and I just know he's two-steppin' now!

Dear Judy and Ryan and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Darrell.  He was such a great man!   I have such great memories of him at our World Book conferences and trips.  May you find comfort in knowing he is with our Heavenly Father above.
With deepest sympathy,
Wendy Fisher
Fellow World Booker

Darryl was a dear sweet man and my favorite dance partner since junior high.  He  was always happy and full of joy and loved his family with all his heart .  He loved sharing memories and pictures of them with us at class reunions.  My thoughts and prayers will be with them.  He will be greatly missed.

Judy and family, we are sorry for your loss. 
Darrell will always be remembered by all who knew him. His joyful spirit filled the room when he walked in. We send our love. 

Darrell was a Sweet Man -- With a Joyous Soul.  He loved life -- and life returned the love. 

OBITUARY

Darrell Thompson

October 8, 1946 – May 14, 2019

Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park

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