Visitation
Lakewood Funeral Chapel
98 North Dixie Drive
Lake Jackson, TX
77566
Monday, August 19, 2024
10:30am-1:00pm
Map & Directions 
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Funeral Service
Lakewood Funeral Chapel
98 North Dixie Drive
Lake Jackson, TX
77566
Monday, August 19, 2024
1:00pm
Map & Directions
Send Flowers
of Freeport, TX
May 21, 1929 - August 10, 2024
- Obituary
- Guestbook
Doc graduated from Stephen F. Austin Demonstration School in Nacogdoches Texas, and moved to Velasco to work at Dow as an Operating Engineer in 1948, retiring in 1997. During his career he was sent by Dow overseas to England and Columbia to help start up Polyethylene Plants.
Active in civic organizations, Doc served as President of the Freeport Jaycees, a member of the Freeport Lions Club, and the Freeport League. He was a member of the Velasco Masonic Lodge for over 70 years. As one of the original members of the RC Modelers Club, he flew model airplanes for over 60 years He was an avid water skier, hunter, fisherman, gardener and grill master.
Doc passed away peacefully of natural causes August 10, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Mary Sue Loveless Darnell; children, Dean Darnell of Freeport and Linda Darnell Browning of Abilene, Texas; nephews Randy Sitton of Baltimore, Maryland and Ray Sitton of Nacogdoches, Texas. He is preceded by parents, Floyd and Bonnie Darnell; and his brother, Windom Jake Sitton.
Our family extends heartfelt thanks to Lakewood Chapel, pallbearers from the Velasco Masonic Lodge, IPH hospice nurses and aides, family and friends who have reached out for all your help and support.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Brazoria County Modelers Association, contact Courtney Grill at 254 424-7888.
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5 Condolence(s)
Connie Chamblee
Waxahachie, TX
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Doc was my boss when we worked for Dow. He was one of the nicest person and best bosses I ever had. I am very sorry for the family's loss.
Connie Rush Burnett
Ray and Debbie Sitton
Nacogdoches, TX
Thursday, August 15, 2024
I too remember Uncle Merl, Aunt Mary, Linda and Dean's visits to the Central Height's farm when Randy and I were kids and our later visits to Freeport. Those were memorable and fun times. Even more so and more recent, Debbie and I remember the fun visits by Uncle Merl to Lake Grigsby, our little getaway east of Nacogdoches in the East Texas Piney Woods. Fishing, cookouts, campouts, boat rides, sitting by the campfires solving the problems of the world... were all the issues of the day for Uncle Merl, John F., Uncle Hot Shot, dad and me.. Our dad, his brother, Windom Jake... always had a 'project' or two for Doc to work on while he was there, which usually meant some labor task he was good at around the camp house... stringing lights, electrical wiring, painting, door and window repair... . Uncle Merl always took on those projects without argument. He liked keeping busy and took pride in his work.
We had lots of good laughs, conversations and sharing of memories over all the years.
He will be... and already is missed. Our deepest sympathies go out to Aunt Mary, Linda and Dean, all family and friends.
Ray Sitton.
Oscar Wheeler
Carlsbad, CA
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Doc was a dear friend, I worked with Doc for thirty one years in Polyethylene
My condolences to his family.
Oscar Wheeler
Randy Sitton
Towson, MD
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
I will never forget the summer visits from Uncle Merl, Aunt Mary, cousins Linda and Dean to the farm in Nacogdoches, Texas... as well as the additional Hurricane season visits during Hurricane Carla and a few others. Growing up as kids, those visits were special. Those fun visits later turned in to our summer visits from my brother Ray and me to Freeport and Surfside Beach as we went in to and throughout high school. Also, they were lots of fun and adventurous.
I will always remember Uncle Merl as a kind person, a hard worker, a true gentleman and someone who enjoyed life and what it had to offer.
My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Aunt Mary, Linda and Dean.
Randy Sitton.
Robert Poole
Ellicottville, NY
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Uncle Merl was a fine man and true gentleman. I always enjoyed our visits an seeing his RCplanes and going with him to the flying field.