Darrel Richard Fellows (Dick), age 78, passed away on the 13th of October 2020 while living at Cambridge Court Assisted Living in Mesquite, Texas. Darrel passed away of natural causes related to failing health conditions.
Darrel was born the 28th of August 1942 in Basin, Wyoming to Darrel Clayton (Red) and Arlene Joy (Drake) Fellows. He grew up with his siblings in Cozad, Nebraska. There, they enjoyed many family gatherings with the Kirkpatrick, Thompson and Carpenter families. The Fellows have a rich history dated back to 1900 when Darrel’s grandparents Thomas Nicholson and Grace May (Nichols) Fellows were married in Eustis Village, Nebraska, south of Cozad. The Fellows’ family cemetery plots are located just south of Cozad, Nebraska at Fairview Cemetery.
Darrel’s Siblings are, Patricia Arlene (Ballard) married to William Robert France (2018) of Lexington, Nebraska, Beverly June (2011) married to Donald Dean (Pal) Carpenter (1993) of Baytown, Texas, Sandra Gay (2018) married to Lawrence Edward Tappan (2014) of Arizona City, Arizona, Sharron Kay married to Frank Joseph Nejedly (2006) of North Platte, Nebraska, Kevin Drake married to Vicki Lynn (Klee) of Etoile, Texas, and Joel Timothy (2016) of King Wood, Texas divorced from Susan Lee (Sharrock) of Wasilla, Alaska.
Darrel married Mary Ruth (Blankinship) 27 January 1962 in Kansas City, Missouri.
He was a stubborn, independent thinker and never finished high school but later completed his GED while in the military. He started his life journey early as a ranch hand then later at the age of 19, joined the United States Army (1961 – 1964) and began a family with Mary. After his military service the couple moved to Jerico Springs, Missouri just north east of Lamar where they bought and worked a farm for a few years near Mary’s parent’s farm. The couple moved back to Kansas City where Darrel worked as a butcher in a beef packing plant. While Darrel was deciding what path to take in his career, he moved the family to various other communities until finally settling in Callaway, Nebraska in 1970. There the couple raised three children into adults then moved to Brady, Nebraska in 1990.
In the early 1970’s Darrel began learning to drive semi-trucks and drove for Romans Motor Freight and later for Hilt Truck lines as an owner operator. In the late 70’s Mary joined Darrel as a team driver and for the next 16 years they traveled coast to coast driving for Shaffer trucking and Crete Carriers. In 1995 the couple retired from trucking then purchased Brady Get-n-Go convenience store where they enjoyed the patronage of Brady residents for the next 17 years. In 2012 the couple sold the store and permanently retired.
Darrel has been an active member of the American Legion since 1976. He enjoyed riding horses in his early years and then in retirement he enjoyed wood carving with his best friend Gary (Carol) Bell of Brady, Nebraska.
Survivors include his son, Timothy R. (Connie) Fellows of Mesquite, Texas; daughter, Arlena M. Mannila of Fountain Hills, Arizona; sister, Patricia A. France of Kearney, Nebraska; sister, Sharron K. Nejedly of North Platte, Nebraska; brother, Kevin D. (Vicki) Fellows of Etoile, Texas; granddaughter, Chelsie N. (George) Septer of Waukesha, Wisconsin; grandsons, D.J. Mannila of Fountain Hills, Arizona; Cody J. (Erica) Fellows of Vancouver, Washington; Tanner J. (Kathy) Fellows of Joshua, Texas: great granddaughter, Dallas N. Fellows of Vancouver, Washington; great grandson Hudson J. Fellows of Vancouver, Washington and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Ruth Fellows (2014); daughter, Michelle A. Hagemeister (1989); sisters, Beverly June Carpenter (2011), Sandra Gay Tappan (2018); and brother, Joel Timothy Fellows (2016).
Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Smith officiating. Inurnment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery near Callaway, Nebraska.
Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte, Nebraska in charge of arrangements. The service will be livestreamed via the Adams & Swanson Facebook page for those unable to attend.