Darrell L Bybee

Darrell L. Bybee

Obituary

Darrell L. Bybee, a longtime aspiring entrepreneur, entered into eternal life on April 24, 2016 in Newton at 62 years of age. He was born on July 16, 1953, at St. Francis in Wichita to the late Arthur E. and Marvelle L. Bybee. He married the love of his life, Christina M. McElroy on September 12, 1998, in Longton.

Darrell was dedicated and passionate about life. He made a success of everything he attempted. This was apparent in the work he chose. He owned and operated Bybee Excavating for 20 years. Employed 18 years with Learjet, two of those years he maintained both jobs at the same time.

Darrell raised a variety of farm animals. Upon retirement, Darrell continued working from sun up to sun down on his farm, finding some time to rest, but not often, as hobbies kept him busy. He was an extraordinary pigeon fancier, with a love for the sport. He was a master handler. He held memberships with the Wichita Homing Club along with the American Racing Pigeon Union.

He was a mechanic by nature and enjoyed fixing cars, tractors, planes and go carts. He enjoyed building and racing dirt super modified race cars. Darrell also built go carts that were sold all over the United States. Darrell was a man of many talents, and surprises.

He was outgoing and always smiling. It will be that big, warm friendly smile that will be greatly missed by his friends and family. He was a caring and fun loving man that fought a good fight and never gave up.

He is preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Mark David Pacheo.

Survivors include wife Christina; two sons, Darrell Joseph Bybee, Wichita, and Jared Lee Bybee, of the home; a daughter, Catherine Suzanne Szager and husband Kenneth Robert Szager, Los Angeles; two brothers, Charles A. Bybee and wife Susan, Maize, and Raymond E. Bybee and wife Debbie, Goddard; sister, Linda Bybee, Wichita,; four grandchildren, Colin J. Bybee, Maison A. Szager, Emilee E. Szager and Sofia A. Bybee; aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

A Memorial Services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, May 5 at the First Baptist Church, 200 W. 6th St., Newton.

Darrell's final resting place will be the Bybee Farm.

Memorials may be made to the Darrell L. Bybee Memorial Fund, c/o Midland Bank, 527 N. Main, or the funeral home, at 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.