July 20, 2021

Linn County News

Published July 21, 2021

Darrel Dean Hoyt, 73, of Pomona, Kan., passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at Olathe Medical Center. 

Funeral services were held Monday, July 19, 2021, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa, with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Pomona, with military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard.

Darrel was born June 20, 1948, in Prescott, Kan., the fourth child to Lester A. and Mary Ruth (Campbell) Hoyt.

Growing up Darrel lived in various locations in Kansas and even lived in Georgia for a short time.

He graduated from Blue Mound High School with the class of 1966. Following graduation, Darrel was drafted by the military during the height of Vietnam. He was inducted into the United States Army in February 1968, attaining the rank of Sgt. and serving in the 101st Airborne. Darrel had an outstanding military career, which ended at Fort Hood, Texas, in December 1969, earning the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Marksman (Rifle) Combat Infantryman Badge.

Upon his military discharge he returned to rural Franklin County, Kan., outside of Pomona to take up farming with his father. 

On June 6, 1970, Darrel was united in marriage to Connie Jo Elliott in Pomona. They shared 51 years of marriage. She survives of the home.

Darrel was a hardworking farmer/rancher. Early in his agricultural career he was a dairyman. He loved his agricultural ties and worked off the farm as a foreman for Asplund and Mitchells Construction. His love for larger equipment made his time at Mitchells enjoyable. He especially loved the backhoe and became quite skilled at it. He left there in 2004 when health issues developed.

Darrel was a family man who was actively involved and loved spending time together. His greatest thrill was pursuing his role as grandfather. He was a 4-H community leader, project leader and beef fair superintendent, and found great enjoyment watching his children and grandchildren show livestock at the fairs. He coached summer T-ball and baseball for both Melissa and Michael’s teams. Darrel enjoyed taking care of his barn kittens, riding horses, checking his cows on the four-wheeler and had a lifelong love for K-State. Overall, he was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

During the pandemic of 2020 Darrel and Connie cherished their time of isolation.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jerry Hoyt and Lester Hoyt; and sister-in-law, Donna Hoyt.

Survivors include two children, Melissa Hoyt Hatfield and husband Scott of the rural Williamsburg/Pomona area, and Michael D. Hoyt and wife Priscilla of rural Hutchinson; six grandchildren, Ethan, Nicholas and Bryce Hatfield, and Nathan, Lyndsey and Elianna Hoyt; two sisters, Delma Colegrove and husband Larry of Mound City, and Ethel Schell and husband Mike of Blue Mound; two brothers, Jack Hoyt and wife Caroline of Darien, Ga., and Doyle Hoyt of Johnstown, Colo.; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Hoyt and Glenda Hoyt, both of rural Pomona; and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County 4-H c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kan. 66067.  Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Darrel’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com.