Philip "Ed" Darby, Jr., 93, of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Tabitha Prairie Commons in Grand Island surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on October 16, 1930, near Darr, Nebraska to Philip Edwin Darby Sr. and Clara B. Strohmyer. He graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1948. In 1951, Ed joined the United States Army where he did topography in the Philippines during the Korean War until 1953. On July 22, 1956, Ed married the love of his life, Karen Rupe at the United Methodist Church in Lexington. To this union, six daughters were born: Sara, Jennifer, Luanne, Linda, Patricia, and Karla.
Ed worked for three years at Reed Engineering in Columbus, Nebraska before dedicating 43 years to the Dawson Public Power District. There he worked for the engineering department for 20 years and transitioned to being a manager for 23 years before retiring in 1998. Ed loved being involved in his community and served on various committees. He was a part of the Founding Fathers of Lexington Foundation, was the president of the Nebraska Power Association, was a secretary and treasurer for the Tri-County Shrine Club, served on the board at Home Federal as well as several committees with the Nebraska Rural Electric Association, helped campaign for John Wightman, and was a dedicated member of the Masonic Lodge Thistle #61.
Ed was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church He loved Nebraska football, spending his days out at the lake, and gardening. He was an incredibly hard worker and was able to fix anything you brought to him. He was a doting father to his girls and always followed their activities as well as his grandchildren's activities.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Sara (Craig Forester) Darby of Omaha, Jennifer Jo (Scott) Mitchell of Grand Island, Luanne Rae Gesell of Lincoln, Linda Kae (Rick) Petet of Lincoln, Patricia Ann (Andrew) Cohen of Lincoln, and Karla Lynn (Roger) Schmidt of Grand Island; grandchildren, Liza Jo (Chad) Lorenz, Clair Olivia Schmidt, Philip Payton (Jessica) Schmidt, Cameron Lee Petet, Erin Darby (Jared Kennedy) Gesell, Darby Linn (Dana) Kurtz, Sydney Kae (Tyler) Wilhelms, and Tanner John Gesell; great-grandchildren, Tatum, Taelor, Devon, Porter, Lettie, Lovelyn and one on the way; sister, Joan C. (William) Smith of Broomfield, Colorado, as well as nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Darby; sister, Jean E. Large; brothers-in-law, Dean Linn and Harold Benzel, sisters-in-law, Gloria Benzel, and Donna Linn.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington with Pastor Sarah Neben, officiating. The service will be live-streamed on the church website: firstchurchlex.org
Inurnment will be held at a later date in the First United Methodist Church Columbarium.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the Lexington Community Foundation, the First United Methodist Church, or Shriners Hospital for Children.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
