Darrell Gandee Funeral Service

Hebrews 13:7

Hebrews 13:7 ESV

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Darrell Edward Gandee of Richmond Kentucky, formerly of Washington, WV, went to be the Lord on January 21, 2020 after battling Dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s Plus Disease. Darrell was born on April 2, 1945, at the home of his parents in Walton, WV. He is the Son of the late Romie Lawrence Gandee and Cassis Gertrude Phillips Gandee formerly of Walton, West Virginia. He married the love of his life, Barbara Weidlich Gandee on November 29, 1968, at Lubeck Methodist Church in Parkersburg, West Virginia. They have two sons: Morgan Bradley Gandee (wife, Tamara) of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania and Graham Christopher Gandee (wife, Julie) of Richmond, Kentucky. Five grandchildren: Zachary Gandee, Lydia Gandee, and Joshua Gandee of Cranberry Township, PA, Maddox Gandee and Griffin Gandee of Richmond, KY. Darrell graduated from Walton High School in 1963 as the class valedictorian. He did his under graduate studies at Glenville State College, where he graduated in 1967 as Sum Cum Laude with a degree in Mathematics. He taught Mathematics at Westover Junior High School in Westover, WV, while attending graduate classes at West Virginia University. He received his Master’s degree in Mathematics from West Virginia University in August 1969. From 1969-1973 he worked for the United States Department of the Army at Edgewood Army Arsenal in Edgewood, Maryland, where he worked for the Army’s Munitions Command. While in Maryland, Darrell began work on a doctorate degree in Statistics at Johns Hopkin University. When the Department of the Army relocated the Munitions Command to the Midwest, Darrell decided to return to his home state of West Virginia. From May 1973 - July 2011 he worked at Dupont with both Dupont and Computer Science Corporation in Washington, WV, as Senior Mathematician where he managed computer systems. Darrell worked hard to build a Godly home for his family in the calm and quietness of the country much like he experienced as a child in Roane County, WV. As an outdoorsman, he found it relaxing to spend time the woods where he would cut firewood as well as hunt rabbit, deer, turkey and squirrel. Darrell enjoyed his sons and planned much of his life devoted to raising them with integrity. He loved coaching their baseball teams. He built a pitching mound in the backyard and a batting cage in the garage. He also enjoyed being a Webelos leader and Cubmaster. During his last years he enjoyed playing games with his grandchildren, as well as watching them participate in their many sporting activities. He enjoyed watching some of Clint Eastwood’s movies and listening to Neil Diamond songs. He also loved Southern Gospel Music after becoming acquainted with a former lead guitar player of a gospel group. He loved being with God’s people. He was a member of Fairlawn Baptist Church where he served in the positions of Evangelistic chairman, treasurer, stewardship, church council, Bible study teacher, children’s Bible Drill instructor, and served in Vacation Bible School and as a deacon. Darrell was always a highly driven, organized, decisive, hard-working gentleman. However, when the disease began to taunt his life, it became evident that his faith was his most important asset. He would calmly and patiently endured his earthly body’s deterioration because he lived with the assurance that is final destination would be with his Savior. His caregivers could experience his grateful heart as he would thank his family and caregivers for the love and care he received. He knew his Lord and he trusted his life to God. Darrell’s family wants his family and friends to know what a blessing it has been be the recipients of their many prayers and generous help in numerous ways, such as meals, cards, text messages, phone calls and visits. They are thankful for this support while they walked through this journey with Darrell. The love, support, and guidance are God given gifts to the family. They thank God for His grace, mercy, support and guidance during this earthly walk. A special thank you to the medical staffs in Parkersburg and Charleston, WV, and Richmond, and Lexington, KY, for his medical care. Also, to the home care given by the many employees of Hospice Care in Berea/Richmond, KY, and to the Family Choice Home Care of Richmond, KY, and their 40 some caregivers who helped in their home in KY. A special thanks for the love, support and care given by Kenwood Health and Rehab Center during Darrell’s final months.

Prayer

Song-Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone. Sung by Rick Morgan

Hebrews 13:7 ESV

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Hebrews

Darrell may not have been a pastor but his life of faith is certainly worthy of imitation.

I remember he and Barb and their dedication to Bible drill with the kids. My son Trey always wanted to go but, I knew he would be a distraction to the class. So, I held him back from it. I was telling Darrell this in the hallway here one day. He told me, “you let him come, we will figure out how to help him.” So, I did and he absolutely loved it. He still has his Bible drill Bible today. It has some paint on it and it has been dropped into a mud puddle or two but, he would not let us get rid of that for anything. He is proud of being in those drills.

And Barb and Darrel Gandee will forever be heroes in my faith and some of the people I seek to imitate.

Thank you Barb and Darrell for the love you showed our kids.

We will miss Darrell but, I am so glad he is in the arms of the Lord today!

Barb, when living with this sorrow and grief, we are aware that this grief does not go away. We learn to get through it by reminding ourselves of the love of Darrell and your family and remembering the good life you had with Darrell.

I will leave you with the words of Molly Fumia who puts it well when she says, "If I am to wear this mourning cloak, let it be made of the fabric of love, woven by the fine thread of memory."

Wrap yourself in the love of those around you and remember the life you had, and will have with Darrell often.

Song-In the Garden

Message-Don Yeager