Darrell Brumley Obituary

Darrell Clark Brumley, caring father and friend to all, passed away on December 9, 2006. He was born in Checotah, OK, on June 15, 1916, the son of Ethel Mae and Walter Clark Brumley. His father and a partner owned the Brumley and Sharp House of Better Values in Checotah. In 1927 his father sold his interest in the business and moved his family to Edinburg, Texas. Darrell went to work for his father in the various departments of Brumley's Department Store. He briefly attended Edinburg High School, but because his father desired to open a store in Harlingen, Texas, the family moved there in 1930 and Darrell graduated from Harlingen High School in 1934. The hurricane of 1933 caused great damage to his father's store and, partially due to that natural disaster, the family moved back to Edinburg where his father opened a larger store. From 1934-1936 Darrell attended a military school, Schreiner Institute. Darrell married Ruth Lucile Snyder in 1938 and became a Navy man in 1941. Because he had a background in first-aid, he was transferred into the medical unit of the Marine Corps, which had no medical corps, and he served as a medic during the World War in the South Pacific. Upon his return to the U.S., he was transferred back into the Navy and was stationed in New Orleans, where Lucile was able to join him. After he left the military, Darrell's dream of owning a men's store became a reality and in 1945 the Brumley Store for Men opened in Edinburg. He spent the next 35 years in the clothing business, retiring in 1981. Upon retirement, Darrell and Lucile bought a trailer and vacationed summers in Woodland Park, Colorado. They decided to make Colorado their part-time residence in 1985 and in 1991 they sold their home in Texas and became permanent Colorado Springs residents. Darrell had two passions. He loved model railroading and he loved his daily walks. He especially enjoyed walks taken around Prospect Lake and later became a member of the Prospect Lake Partners. Darrell was an active member of the Edinburg, Texas, community: a Boy Scout Master, City Judge, City Recorder, President of the School Board, a board member of the First State Bank and Trust Company, first chairman of the Hidalgo County Museum, President of the Kiwanas Club, Chairman of the First Wednesday Business Association, Treasurer of the church and Chairman of the Board of Stewards at the First United Methodist Church of Edinburg, and when he and his wife moved to Colorado Springs, he became a money counter and usher at the First United Methodist Church of Colorado Springs. Darrell was a gentle, generous and spiritual man who was loved by all who met him. He rarely met a person he did not like and, and over the course of his lifetime, he touched the lives of many, many people. He often said that he could never have planned the end his life with such happiness, truly believing "God had a much better plan for me all along, and I just sat back and let Him lead me." He will be remembered for his favorite saying when friends and family gathered for a special meal: "Sal?d pesetas, amor, la vida y tiempo por gozar." ("To money, love, life, and the time to enjoy.") Darrell was preceded in death by his wife, Lucile, in 2005. He was also preceded in death by a younger brother, W.C. Surviving him are his sister, Elizabeth Compere, of McAllen, TX; a daughter, Catherine Brumley, of West Stockbridge, MA, and a son, Richard (Sandy) Brumley of Edinburg, Texas; four granddaughters, Gretchen, Erinn, Dawn and Bethany; and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his close friend and devoted caregiver, Pam Marston, of Colorado Springs. Darrell will be sadly missed by those who were fortunate enough to have known him. A memorial service will be held December 12 at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. Inurnment will be at First United Methodist Church of Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to a charity choice.