Obituary of Daryl Engel

On June 24th, 1948, George and Lois (Duenweg) Engel welcomed their third son Daryl Gene. Daryl and his two older brothers Bob and Paul spent their childhood on the family farm south of Agate. In his teens and early 20’s he learned the skills of the feed and grain industry from Bob Benjamin—skills that he continued to use his entire life. Daryl graduated from Agate High School and worked for area ranchers, including his parents, until he enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served our country in the Vietnam War for two tours of duty. At the end of his second tour he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. Following his honorable discharge from the Seabees, Daryl married Jeannie Foster and later celebrated the birth of their two children, daughter Shawna and son James. Daryl worked for several years in the Agate and Denver area. He was employed by Farr Feeds in Garden City, and then moved to rural Brewster, Kansas, where he and Jeannie owned and operated a grain elevator and feed mill repair business for the next eighteen years. While living in Brewster, Daryl was very active in his children’s lives. He was a leader in the local 4-H club, Kansas Hunter Safety Instructor and an elected member the school board. The Colorado natives returned home to the family farm in Agate to continue his parents’ legacy. One of Daryl’s favorite quotes was “We need to make sure our kids are well educated morally, intellectually and physically. Unless we find a formula for cold fusion or a cure for cancer, the only way history will remember us is by our childrenâ€?. Daryl felt that if he was judged on this quote alone, then he would be remembered well. Family was of the utmost importance to Daryl and he has always considered Jeannie, Shawna and Jim as his best friends. Daryl’s greatest joy in life was his four grandchildren: Justin, Emily, Jared and Jackson. He delighted in every aspect of their unique personalities, as much as time and distance would allow. The children always eagerly anticipated a visit from “Grandpaâ€? or “Poppyâ€?. He was an avid hunter and wildlife lover. He especially loved the furry best friends that would have followed him anywhere, his Golden Retrievers. Daryl and his family found great joy in raising Goldens ---his current companion Babe was his most loyal and will continue to run with him in the pastures on the Agate farm. Those closest to him will remember him as a skilled craftsman and talented handyman. Daryl was an expert welder. He mastered electrical and mechanical skills as well as metal fabrication. A true “Jack of all Tradesâ€? he also created decorative and functional horseshoe art and took great pride in holiday lighting and decorations. In spite of his busy schedule, Daryl always found the time and energy every Christmas to decorate three homes of those he loved. Daryl left us on June 3, 2006 at Swedish Hospital in Englewood, Colorado. He is survived by his wife Jeannie, daughter Shawna Fowler, husband John, children Emily and Jack from Omaha, Nebraska; son James, wife Tammi, children Justin and Jared from Colby, Kansas; Brother Bob Engel, friend Richard Nolan, from Denver, Colorado; Aunt Louise “Tootsâ€? Mohler of Agate, Uncle Louis Duenweg of Vista, California; mother-in-law Marguerite Foster of Hugo; sisters-in-law Guyla Foster of Denver, Marga Engel of Billings, Montana; an extended family of nieces, nephews and two granddogs Honey and Shiloh. Daryl was preceded in death by his beloved grandmother, mother, father and brother Paul. Memorial services will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday June 8, 2006 at the Love Funeral Home Chapel in Limon, Colorado. In respect to Daryl’s wishes, anyone who chooses to donate in lieu of flowers, kindly contribute to the dedicated members of the Agate Volunteer Fire Department P.O. Box 146 Agate, Colorado 80101.