Darrell Granger

Darrell Granger, Sr., 87, of Panama City, FL, passed away on June 3, 2023, surrounded by family and loved ones. 

The second of six children, Darrell was born on February 2nd, 1936 to parents W.D. Sr. and Fanny Veneta (Brazil) Granger in Mt. Calm, Texas. From the day that he could walk, he began working on the family farm. But when he wasn’t working on the farm, his father helped ignite a life long love of vehicles in him by letting him drive the family vehicle long before he could even reach the pedals. 

In 1953, Darrell joined the Army and served his country with Valor. While in the Army, Darrell was stationed in Korea during the end of the war, where he earned the rank of Sergeant. Upon returning to the States, Darrell was stationed at Fort Rucker Military Base (in Dale County, Alabama), where he’d soon meet the love of his life, Edna. 

Darrell and Edna married on June 23, 1956 and shortly after moved to Texas to raise their family. Together they had three children, their oldest daughter Debra, second daughter Sharon, and the youngest Darrell Ray (Jr). After spending some time in the Lone Star State, the family moved to Panama City, Florida, where Darrell worked at Arizona Chemical in the lab. But when he had a chance to, Darrell loved to tinker around with and rebuild transmissions under his carport, which lead to him and Edna starting their own business, A-1 Transmission and Auto-Air, prior to his retiring at Arizona Chemical. Darrell ran it for years before selling the business, so he and Edna could retire. 

Together, they spent much of their retirement traveling across the United States in a motor home they bought, along with their faithful traveling companion, their beloved dog, Xuxa. Darrell spent his final years caring for his one true love, Edna. And on June 3, 2023, while at home and surrounded by loved ones, Darrell passed away and went on to be reunited with his beloved. 

Darrell was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Granger; his son, Darrell Ray (Jr) Granger; and his daughter, Sharon (Granger) Braun. 

Darrell leaves behind including (but not limited to) his eldest daughter, Debra Granger; his siblings: Gerald Granger and Joann Scitern (neé Granger); his son-in-law, (Sharon’s husband) Scott Braun; his grandchildren; brothers: Justin and Wesley King; as well as brothers: Aaron and Adam Braun; and his great-grandchildren: Peyton, Paxton, and Porter. 

Darrell will be remembered as a man of faith, a man who was true to his word, a man who never met a stranger, a man who would give everything he had to anyone in need, someone who was always just a phone call away, and a man who never gave up. Besides a love of cars, Darrell had a strong love and relationship with God and in his later life would read the Bible, cover to cover, over and over again. He lived his life by the values he learned in the Bible, and those who knew him would say that he was surely a man of God. 

Visitation will be held at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 1:00 pm with Funeral Service to follow at 2:00 pm. Darrell will be laid to rest at Evergreen Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.
 

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