Darrell G. Mastin

Darrell G. Mastin, age 65, long time resident of Grove, OK passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at his home. Darrell was born on January 5, 1954 to Gerald and Athalea (Brown) Mastin in Wichita Falls, TX, while his father was stationed at the Air Force base there. He grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1972. He was a three-sport letterman, President of the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter, and a member of Student Council. He entered the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO in July 1972. While at the Academy, Darrell lettered three years in football and was the team's starting center as a senior. He graduated in 1976 on the Dean's Honors Roll with a Bachelor of Science in Humanities and was assigned to the Academy's Athletic Department as a Candidate Counselor and Freshmen football coach. Two days after graduation Darrell married his "Sunshine" Diane Nicklas. He won her heart years earlier after a twenty-one cent date at the A&W. They were a match made in heaven for 43 years. His accomplishments, accolades, and aptitudes are quite impressive. But, to him, sharing a home, children, grandchildren...a life with her was his crowning achievement. Following his year with the Athletic Department, Darrell spent three months at Vandenberg AFB, CA training as a missile launch officer, then was assigned to the 44th Strategic Missile Wing at Ellsworth, AFB, SD. At Ellsworth, Darrell held a number of positions: Deputy Crew Commander, Instructor, Combat Crew Commander, and Wing Nuclear Safely Officer. He spent two years as an assistant football coach with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology whose 1980 team won the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Championship and ranked 12th in the final NAIA, Division II poll. He also earned a Master of Education from South Dakota State University. The Academy's English Department came calling and after taking a Master of Arts in English from the University of Oklahoma, Darrell became an English instructor. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Darrell became the Academy's FCA sponsor and worked as an assistant football coach at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School. He was named "Outstanding Military Educator" in 1985. After two years on the faculty and traveling with the Academy's Executive Writing Team, Darrell fulfilled his requirements for an assistant professorship, but chose to take the position of Head Football coach at the Prep School. He was named Colorado Football Conference "Coach of the Year" in 1988. Darrell left the Academy Prep School in 1990 to join the Academy Athletic Department as a Weight Training and Unarmed Combat instructor, also helping out the 1990 Liberty Bowl Champion Falcon Football team as a defensive line coach. When he left the Air Force, Darrell took a position teaching Humanities and English and as Head Coach of the football team at Harrison High School in Colorado Springs. The team learned the fundamentals of football, respect, and character from Darrell and went from a string of 1 win seasons to an up-and-coming program. It was some of his most rewarding work. Darrell and his family moved to Grove and he became the head football coach at Grove High School and taught English and Humanities for 2 years until 1998. Darrell’s dedication to and support of Grove Public Schools was showcased on Friday nights for the past 19 years when he enthusiastically announced the Ridgerunner football games on KGVE. In 1999, Darrell began his career as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments. His heart for people and his mind for teaching and coaching led to a long, fulfilling career and many lasting relationships. He served as the Compliance Culture Leader and was a key recruiter for the local Edwards Jones region. He loved Edward Jones and all the outstanding people it brought in to his life. Darrell’s genuine interest in people and desire to improve his community motivated his many contributions to Grove. He was active with the Delaware County Republicans, on the Board of the Heavenly Angels Hospice House and the organizer of the annual City of Grove’s Independence Day Celebration. His absence will be felt throughout the community. Though his career and accomplishments have been celebrated here, his true legacy, shown in the kindness and support he offered to each and every individual he encountered, is his relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ. He is preceded in death by his father, Gerald Mastin. Left to carry on Darrell’s legacy: wife, Diane Mastin, his mother, Athalea Mastin of Shawnee, OK; son, Zachary Mastin and wife, Niketa of Grove, OK, daughter, Rachel Stanley of Joplin, MO; brothers: Ford Mastin and wife, Terri of Shawnee, OK, Kyle Mastin and wife, Ivonne of Atlanta, GA and Gene Mastin and wife, Heather of Stillwater, OK; grandchildren: Walker West, Piper Stanley and Elizabeth Stanley, and many loving nieces and nephews. A visitation for family and friends will be from 5-7pm Monday, September 23, at Nichols-Stephens Funeral & Cremation Services. Funeral services will be at 2pm Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at Grove’s First Baptist Church. The family request that donations be made to Heavenly Angels Hospice House or Ridgerunner Athletic Vision for Excellence in c/o the funeral home at 10201 US Hwy 59 Grove, OK 74344 or online at: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=nLoVD5-jKpN75q-6ieFWDWzPsrdaHNMrmo9EFTulQuIdj8SOAed5uqnnFJVaTKXBOi7h9W&country.x=US&locale.x=US

Tributes

Darrell G. Mastin

January 5, 1954 - September 18, 2019