Darrell Lee Haston

Darrell Lee Haston, 80, of Stillwater passed from this life on Oct 7, 2014 at home with his loving family by his side. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and friends and family are invited to a gathering to celebrate Darrells life on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 4pm to 6pm at his home in Stillwater.
Darrell was born on Dec 5, 1933 to Claud and Mabel (McKnight) Haston in Stillwater, OK. He was raised in Stillwater and graduated from Stillwater High School with the class of 1952. Following his graduation, he married Beverley Hillerman and together they had two children: Dawn Elise and Kellie Elizabeth Haston. Shortly after getting married Darrell enrolled at OK State University where he attended until being offered a position at Boeing, working on the design of the first B-52 aircraft. Although they divorced in 1977, Darrell and Beverley remained lifelong friends. Darrell worked at Boeing for two years until he was drafted into the Army. He served at the Presidio in San Francisco and Germany
In 1959 Darrell started working at OK State University in the Division of Engineering for the Electronics Lab. He spent the next 25+ years assisting in the design of rockets and weather balloons for the U.S. Air Force. He excelled at mechanical design and problem solving in house as well as in the field. In 1977, Darrell met Beverly Cottman through a mutual friend and it was truly love at first sight. The two were married in 1979 and he gained two more wonderful children, Brooks and Melissa. Darrell retired from the university in 1986. Not being one to sit still for long, Darrell went to work for Frontier Electronics in 1987. While at Frontier, Darrell was involved in the drafting and design of the engine fuel display for the F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet among other naval and aerospace contracts.
In 1995, Darrell retired for good and became a full time grandpa. He was a great husband and father, favorite memories of daughters Dawn and Kellie are going to Theta Pond to fish and feed the ducks and. sailing down Stillwater Creek in the sailboat Darrell built for them, but Darrell was born to be a grandpa. He was even adopted as the Highland Park Elementary School Honorary Grandpa. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren very much and did everything he could to spoil them and make them feel special. He taught them how to fish and always had a few small jobs for them to do so that he could teach them the value of being a hard worker. One of his favorite family events was the annual family fashion show. Darrell would take the granddaughters shopping at local thrift stores to purchase an outfit of their choice. They would then put on a fashion show for their family and friends by modeling their outfits on the handmade catwalk that Darrell had built in the backyard of his home. The night was topped off by each kid being chauffeured through town on the back of his classic Cadillac Biarritz or Mustang convertibles while they waved glamorously at everyone they saw.
Darrell was a very generous and selfless man who always put the needs of others before himself.
He volunteered as the Santa Claus for Stillwater Head Start, he entertained the Stillwater, Perkins, Ingalls, and Glencoe Sr. Citizens by playing his harmonica, guitar, juice harp and singing at their weekly music nights for thirty years. He provided music for Boots and Bandanas; Taylorsville Fair, Fourth of July Celebrations at Lewis Stadium, Church carnivals, Camp Redlands nursing homes and numerous other events, He also made over 50 fishing poles for kids at the Stillwater YMCA and took them to Theta Pond to learn to fish. He was also a member of the Golden Eagle Enduro Motorcycle Club.
Darrell was a talented and uniquely skilled artist who served as a past president for the Stillwater Art Guild. A lifetime car collector, Darrell was a member of the Stillwater Classic Car Club. He owned many classic cars but a few of his favorites were his Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, his Ford Model A, and his prized Cadillac Biarritz convertible which was one of only 2500 made. Darrell enjoyed driving his cars in the OSU Homecoming parades. Darrell also enjoyed gardening, fishing, and anything to do with airplanes. He loved to travel, especially to his sisters ranch in Texas, but nothing made him happier than being at his home, a house he used to dream of living in while he was camping nearby when he was a child. He was a fabulous chef who enjoyed shopping for and cooking every family meal and as long as you knew Darrell, there was never a need for a repairman of any kind because there was nothing he could not fix.
Darrell Haston was a faithful husband, a proud father, a loving grandpa, a loyal worker, and a trusted friend who will be missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 35 years and soul mate Beverly Haston. Four children: Dawn Love and husband Mike, of Cushing, OK, Kellie Palacios of Las Cruces, NM, Melissa Coldiron and husband Jack, of Stillwater, OK, and Brooks Kennedy of Rogers, AR. A sister: Carol Sattler of Doss, TX. 12 Grandchildren: Levi Rains and wife Gretchen, of Newport, RI, Eli Rains and wife Jennifer, of Stillwater, OK, Anelise Hughes and husband Ray, Of Perkins, OK, Pedro Palacios of Las Cruces, NM, Charles Palacios and wife Adriana, of El Paso, Tx, Miguel Palacios of Las Cruces, NM, Jose Palacios of Council Bluff, IA, Megan Saunders and husband Chris, of Stillwater, OK, Mandy Powers of Stillwater, OK, Madison Gonzalez and husband Ryan, of 29 Palms, CA, Brayden Kennedy and Jackson Kennedy, both of Rogers, AR. 7 great grandchildren: Chance, Kendra, Chloe, Macy, Layla, Laynie, and Gabriel. He is also survived by his brother in law Les Shirley, of Perkins, OK , his fur baby Izzie, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other family members.
The family wishes to thank Judith Karman Hospice, Dr Poludasu and Mary G. for the compassion and kindness they showed to Darrell and an extra special thanks to Darrells granddaughter Megan for helping care for both grandma and grandpa over the past 2 years.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Humane Society of Stillwater 1710 S. Main St. Stillwater, OK 74074
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.pmcfh.com

Celebration of Life:
Haston Home
4:00pm - 6:00pm, Thursday, October 9, 2014