Darrell W. Gosnell

Darrell was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma to parents Darrell E. and Gladys Gosnell. His dad had various jobs in Cherokee County and ended his career as Director of Oklahoma State Parks. Gladys was an elementary school teacher in rural one and two room schoolhouses in Cherokee County. Darrell was the older of three children, Charles, 4 1/2 years younger and Judy, almost 7 years younger. Darrell attended public schools in Tahlequah and graduated from Tahlequah High School. He joined the Army National Guard and had the distinction of being in the same group as Elvis Presley— a fact he often noted with, albeit with some good-natured grumbling about the special privileges he felt Presley received. After the Army stint he entered Northeastern State University. In the summer of 1959, Darrell met Dorothy Henry of Sand Springs who was a student at Oklahoma State attending a summer session at Northeastern to accelerate her graduation. What began as a summer encounter quickly blossomed into a possible long distance relationship. Over the following years, plans changed and they were married and graduated from college. Dorothy graduated from Oklahoma State and Darrell from Northeastern State. The couple settled in Sand Springs, OK where their first son, Bradley Wayne was born. Darrell taught in Sand Springs Junior High and Dorothy taught first grade in Prattville, OK. After a year they moved to Colorado, where their second son, Gregory Adam was born.

Darrell was recruited to teach at Pueblo South High School and remained in that position teaching mathematics and advanced level classes for twenty years. During that time he was also the sponsor of the school math club and the school’s tennis coach. After a successful teaching career Darrell accepted the job of Math Specialist for Pueblo District 60. Over the next decade he was named Director of Math and Technology where he led the district into the computer age. Later his role expanded to include Media and Technology. In that role, Darrell guided the digitization of the library systems. After 31 years, he retired in 1995.

Darrell loved Colorado and the mountains. He was an avid trout fisherman, tying his own flies and spending many a weekend with Mel Richards exploring new streams and lakes. Golf became a big part of his life after retirement. Colorado City and Pueblo City Park Golf Course (now Elmwood) were his regular haunts. He hunted deer, elk, and antelope keeping the family freezer well stocked. Many of those hunts were with fellow teacher and golf partner, Fritz Frakes. Darrell loved adventure and his trail bikes. He and friend Gary Philipsen rode many a mile checking out the mountain lakes and rivers.

Darrell earned his pilot’s license and he and Gary bought a

Cherokee Piper plane. Fishing trips to Canada and visits to family in Oklahoma became much faster and a lot less luggage. He loved the flying experience and volunteered for the Penny a Pound event benefitting Pueblos handicapped. He served as president of the Kiwanis and was chairman of the Kiwanis Foundation providing orthodontia care for disadvantaged children.

Amid all these activities, his family was still foremost. He started the boys with family camping and fishing at a very young age. Most every weekend was spent in the mountains discovering new fishing sites. When the boys entered school, their activities changed his focus. Brad and Greg were both active in athletics and parents and faculty were a very supportive group. Brad ran cross county in the fall and Greg played football and was on the basketball team. Spring brought track where both boys were active, Brad in running and Greg high jumping.

After 43 years in Pueblo, Darrell and Dorothy moved to McKinney, Texas to be near their mothers, who were widowed and were dealing with health issues. This also brought them closer to their grandchildren that lived in Plano. They made at least two trips a year to Colorado/Florida to visit Brad and family. In McKinney they quickly made new friends as they got involved with new golf partners at the Country club, hosting dinner clubs, playing euchre, and a new church at Custer Road and McKinney Methodist.

Travel became a big part of life for Darrell and Dorothy at this time as well. They were spending winters in South Texas and made many new friends from up north and Canada. They made trips to Alaska and Hawaii, and multiple visits to Europe, China, New Zealand, Egypt, the Holy Land, and around the southern tip of South America.

Darrell spent later years enjoying his beloved Broncos, the Oklahoma Sooners and he endured the Dallas Cowboys with Greg on Sunday afternoons, watching golf (Master and British Open were his favorite), playing bridge with his pals, the three Bobs. He was an avid reader and leaves a library of books by his favorite authors.

Darrell ultimately was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in May of 2025. He is remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, a respected educator, an avid outdoorsman, and a man of strength, intelligence, integrity and a lifetime love of learning. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; sons Brad (Donna) and Greg (Coreen); and grandchildren Lauren, Michael, and Nicole