September 22, 1965 - August 9, 2022
Daren Gail Whomble was born September 22, 1965, in Burlington Colorado. He spent his early years in the Idalia, Wray and Beecher Island communities attending 1st-4th grade at Idalia elementary then attending middle school and high school in Wray, graduating in 1984. Daren participated in 4-H and attended the Beecher Island Sunday School. He accepted Jesus as his savior as a small child and was baptized at clough valley.
Following graduation Daren worked for several years for a local contractor building houses then eventually started his own business designing and building homes. There are numerous homes around the Wray and Yuma areas that Daren built. Daren hired Brandon Harris who worked with Daren until he retired and traveled with him to several destinations. They continued to build homes in Sterling, CO, Sidney, NE, Bull shoals, Arkansas, Sarasota, FL and Branson, Mo., then they worked for Walmart for 3.5 years in Salina, KS and finally moved to Kewanee, IL where Daren built his last home then retired from construction and moved back to Wray. He continued to do some part time projects in the area until his health decline prevented it.
Daren liked animals and had several favorites, his horse sugar and numerous special dogs. One of his dogs Buddy could climb UP a ladder. When Daren was building in Sterling, Co, Buddy would climb the ladder to join Daren on the roof of the house he was working on as he wanted to be near Daren. Buddy could NOT climb DOWN a ladder, so Daren would tie a rope around Buddy’s middle and lower him over the edge of the roof down safely to the ground and this became the routine. A newspaper reporter took pictures of Buddy climbing up the ladder to be with Daren on the roof and published it in the local newspaper. Buddy was chronicled in history and was never aware. What people won’t do to get a picture in the paper!
Daren enjoyed traveling and accompanied his grandmother, Doris Whomble on many road trips throughout the US enjoying the scenery enroute and the time together. In later years, Daren continued to travel, visiting 13 countries and 49 or our 50 states
Daren loved the beautiful city of Singapore, and the stunning landscapes of New Zealand. They topped his list of favorite destinations. He appreciated different cultures and enjoyed learning about the history and customs of everywhere he went. Daren embraced experiences, he scuba dived in the Bahamas, Belize, Honduras, and Bermuda, explored shipwrecks and swam with sharks. He climbed part way up Mt Everest and walked up the steps of the Eifel tower. He crossed the English Channel and enjoyed spending time in England.
Daren enjoyed cooking and grilling and was quite an accomplished culinary talent. His favorite holiday to prepare for and host was Thanksgiving and when it was time for the traditional “let’s go around the table and state what we are thankful for…” Daren would say “ I am thankful for my family, for being here today and for my health.”
Daren went to be with his Lord after a 5-year battle with cancer. He is survived by his mother Carole Whomble of Wray, CO., Aunt Judy Shively of Idalia, CO, Kevin and Rebecca Shively of Wray Co, Kim and Mark Bowman of Castle Rock, CO, Keri and James Kennedy of Huntsville AL, numerous cousins, relatives and friends.
He will be missed.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 13, 2022, 1:00 p.m. at the Beecher Island Sunday School in Beecher Island, Colorado with Jack Soehner officiating. Interment will follow in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Memorials may be given to the Beecher Island Sunday School. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado is entrusted in the arrangements.
