Darrell Kent Current

Chick was a WWII veteran who enlisted in the Iowa National Guard at 15 just to ride horses and was transferred to the regular Army when the US entered the war. He served in England, France (Omaha Beach), Holland, Belgium, and Germany in the Normandy Campaign and the North Africa Campaigns. While in close contact with the enemy (behind enemy lines at the Battle of the Bulge) he received significant injury to his legs, knees and hands as well as multiple other combat injuries. He was eventually evacuated to hospitals in England and eventually the U.S. thus receiving the Purple Heart. Shrapnel from the mortar round that caused major physical damage remained in him until the end. He never complained about his situation; but we have seen how these injuries have caused him significant pain and loss of physical capabilities. Interestingly, when asked about his time in the war, he would never talk about it. We only learned about his war history after contacting his congressman for his support.

He graduated from Texas Tech with a Mechanical Engineering Degree in 1949, And was later elected to the Board of Directors while I was finishing up my degrees at Tech. Actively recruited by what became Pioneer Natural Gas Company, he became their Industrial Utilization Manager and retired from them to work on his hobby of building high power engines for drag racers.

He was married to Ruth Conley, the love of his life for 61 years, eventually losing her on 9/11/2003. 

Served as an Elder at Anna Street Church

Traveled extensively with the family

Testified before Congress regarding natural gas reserves during the 70’s oil crisis

Held patents in the gas industry

And, he joined Ruth Anne just two days shy of two months after her death. 

He was 104 years young…..