Darrell Rector, son of William “Bill” Rector and Ola (Bland) Rector, was born on March 19, 1939, in Shannon County, Missouri. Darrell passed from this life into eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus, in Mountain View, Missouri, on October 13, 2022.
Darrell grew up on the Current River and got his education in one room schoolhouses at Roger’s Creek in Carter County and Cardareva in Shannon County. One of Darrell’s first jobs was a fishing guide on the Current River. That was a joy for him, to earn money doing what he loved. Darrell loved to fish and hunt, and gig with Allen, with Allen frying fish on the river bank. His hunting was by choice with Vernon “Rooster” at the Wilderness. One of his favorite things to do was to drive through Peck Ranch and see the elk and deer.
In 1961, Darrell met and married June Stout of Ellington, Missouri. To this union, four children were born, two sons and two daughters, Debbie, Matt, Pam, and Roger. Shortly after he married June, they moved to Iowa and he took a job with Silas, Mason, and Hanger, an ammunition plant, where he worked for 29 years. Then he moved back to his beloved Ozarks and Current River country.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Ola Rector; two brothers, Glenn Rector and Allen Rector; and one sister, Gracie Fox. Darrell leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 61 years, June, of the home in Winona, MO; his children, Debbie Zimmerman of Marshfield, MO, Matthew Rector and Pam Rector both of Burlington, IA, and Roger Rector of Winona, MO; six grandchildren, Jacob, Ashlyn, Austin, Courtny, Ian, and Dakota; and four great-grandchildren; five brothers, Charles (Cathy) Rector of Baxter Springs, KS, Harold Rector of Ellsinore, MO, Melvin (Naomi) Rector of Dyersburg, TN, Vernon of the Irish Wilderness, MO, and Jerry (Donna) Rector of Teresita, MO; three sisters, Mary Manis and Margie Berry both of Winona, MO, Lorene (Jim) Wright of Thomasville, MO; many nieces and nephews; and a host of cousins and friends, all of whom loved him very much.
Darrell’s passing will leave a void in the family that can never be filled. The family has lost a good man and an important part of the family. If you want to see Darrell again, you must ask God to forgive you and come into your heart.
