Darrell Eugene Wyatt passed away on Jan. 9, 2022 in his home in the arms of his life partner, Nancy “Voncie” Detrick.

Darrell was born in Sikeston, Missouri on June 29th, 1948 to Luther and Crettie Wyatt. Darrell was the third child of seven. His siblings, from oldest to youngest are: Floyd, Linda Faye, Darrell Eurgene, Joyce Lou, George Larry, Kathleen (Kathy), and Dale Lee (Dinky). 

Darrell and his family moved to Alderpoint in 1956 when he was eight years old. He attended Alice Jewett, Casterlin Elementary, and South Fork High school. After high school he went on to serve in the military in 1969. He was honorably discharged with an injury in 1971. Darrell then returned home to Alderpoint where he started a life with Voncie. Darrell and Voncie had known each other since childhood in Alderpoint, but officially got together in 1972, beginning their 50 years together. Darrell took in Sonny Detrick as his own child, and then soon after Misty Ann was born in 1973, with Echo Katybeth following in 1975. They raised their children in Alderpoint and then in Harris where Darrell built a home for his family. During these first couple of years as a young family, Darrell worked as a choker setter, before he turned to the land and worked in the true Humboldt fashion. Being known as a legend of his time, a true OG. 

While working in the hills, Darrell’s friends were Stephan Mitchell, Doug Hoagland, Mike Peachy, Eugene Coleman, JR Craig and Leonard Ward. These men would know him as “White Legger”. If you listened to the CB radio, often times you would here his nickname of “White Legger” or ‘Whitey”. Those white legs of his covered more ground in Humboldt and Trinity then you could even imagine. Darrell and Doug Hoagland spent many years together running CAT. They would dig ponds and build flats for new homesteads.

Darrell was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cutting wood, running heavy equipment, tending to the land and animals. His family remembers his love for fishing, eeling, and abalone diving; Oftentimes catching the biggest fish, even in his later years. Whether it was the ocean, the river or the lake, Darrell loved to fish. Shelter Cove was one of his favorite places. He and Stephan Mitchell spent a lot of time fishing in Shelter cove on Stephan’s Zodiac, before Darrell bought his own ocean boat.  After that he and Voncie commercially fished salmon for five years. Darrell passed his love of the outdoors down to his family. His grandchildren thank him and their grandma for teaching them to live off the land and to fish from the sea.

Darrell had ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. All of whom looked up to him with the utmost respect.  He was generally a quiet man, but would speak up with advice or ideas to better a plan or help someone. Although quiet, Darrell was also a little fiesty. He loved to mess with or tease his grandkids, but especially the great-grandkids. Whether he was squeezing their ears as they walked by, or teasing them with a lollipop, it was always in good fun and kept them on their toes. He also loved to tease and play with Voncie. All the way to the end. The two of them had their own special kind of love that was obvious to everyone who knew them.   

Often, when the kids were younger, Voncie and Darrell would ride around in their single-cab Ford pickup with two or three, sometimes four grandkids with them. If you do the math, you might realize the cab of that pickup was jam packed and full of smiles. Not to mention the eight dogs in the back of the truck at all times. There were always kids begging to jump in. It didn’t matter what the adventure of the day was; Whether looking for arrowheads, cutting wood, feeding cows or just going for a drive. One thing you could count on was that their Grandson Brennan was right in the middle at all times. He was his Grandpa’s sidekick, always by his side, helping and learning.  When the grandkids were in school, Darrell and Voncie hardly ever missed a sporting event or school play. Although, Darrell usually slipped out a little early to go to the truck and smoke a joint. 

In the early 2000s Darrell and Voncie purchased their property in Wool Mountain. They built a barn and a house from the ground up, with Darrell even milling his own boards for the barn. This homestead is where he would spend nearly the last two decades of his life. It was here where they expanded their cattle herd and focused more on ranching and family. Darrell worked hard and built a hell of a life. Everyone who knew Darrell knew what a hard worker he was, always providing the best for his family. He taught his family the importance of being together and helping one another. Darrell loved Voncie, his partner of 50 years. He would do anything for her, and she would do anything for him. Working in harmony together for all those years, building a life and a legacy. He loved his children and grandchildren so much and they loved him. He will be missed by us all.

Darrell Wyatt is survived in life by his life-long partner Nancy Yvonne “Voncie” Detrick; three children Sonny, Misty(John), and Echo; ten grandchildren Breanna, Natalee(Erica), Kaitlynn, Shasta(Colt), Austin(Makayla), Brennan, Jasmine, Kasey, Lily and Tanner; four great-grandchildren Brayden, Azalea, Sage, and Maverick; and his siblings FLoyd Wyatt, Linda Younger, and Larry Wyatt; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Luther and Crettie Wyatt; sisters Joyce Earley and Kathy Craig; and brother Dale “Dinky” Wyatt. 

We would like to extend a special thank you to Jimmy Smith, and to both the Alderpoint and Kettenpom Volunteer Fire Departments for coming to the house in the early hours immediately after Darrell’s passing. A memorial will be held for Darrell at the Alderpoint Fire Hall on Sunday, February 27th at 1 PM. All who knew him are welcome to join the family in celebrating his life and legacy. This will be a potluck style event, so please bring your favorite dish if you are able. This will be a time to remember Darrell and keep his spirit alive. For this is where he will remain, in our hearts and in our memories.

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