Darrell Louis Carver |
| Posted 2021-03-09 by mhenderson |
| Published in The Arizona Republic from Mar. 7 to Mar. 10, 2021 - Phoenix, Arizona - Scottsdale - Darrell Louis Carver, loving husband and father of three sons, faded away on February 28, 2021 at the age of 91. Born 1-29-1930 in Denver, Colorado, he grew up in the copper-mining town of Bisbee, Arizona and graduated from Bisbee High School in 1947, with his diploma etched on a sheet of copper. He attended the University of Arizona in Tucson and graduated with a degree in mining engineering in 1951. During the summer while in college he worked for the U.S. Forest Service in the Sequoia National Forest as a Surveyor and Trail Marker for mapping the various plants and animals in a wide area, often with a horse and a mule, (he packed his gear on the horse and rode the mule, he always said a mule was best on the trail). He married Nita Ashe, his high school sweetheart, before serving honorably in the Korean War as an Army engineer, specializing in demolition. While in Korea, he managed to meet up with his father who was also serving in Korea. Though he did not serve long, the service left its mark and in later years he often referred to himself as an "old soldier". He returned to Arizona and worked in another Arizona copper-mining town, San Manuel, as an underground miner. Darrell's first son, Dan, was soon born, and a little over a year later his second son Rob was born, then a third son, Scott, joined the family a few years later. Darrell left San Manuel to join his stepfather where they started the Construction and Mining Supply Company (CAMSCO), a successful business in Phoenix selling mining equipment. He was so well trusted in the mining industry that the mines allowed him to survey their inventory and order for them, knowing that he would supply them with only what they needed. Darrell remained in the mining supply industry for many years, later working for WISCO, another mining equipment company, and then as an independent sales rep for Hensley Industries. He traveled to every mining town in Arizona, and knew the state like the back of his hand. It was during this time that he met and married Karin Gerboth in 1981. They traveled widely in the United States, and also visited many places in Europe and the world at large. He was a gifted musician, playing multiple instruments, accordion and piano being his favorites. While serving in the Army, his trumpet skills were occasionally called upon, and the high point of any family gathering was when he played Flight of the Bumble Bee, or sat down at the piano, or picked up an accordion and sang family favorites such as Jalisco (¡Ay, Jalisco, no te rajes!), Cool Water and Ivan Skavinsky Skavar. He had perfect pitch and could play any song he heard without the need of sheet music. He continued entertaining family and friends for many years. He was an avid and excellent golfer, learning in Bisbee at the age of 12 and playing until the age of 88, long after his retirement at 70. He had a handicap of 5, shot his age in his early-eighties and, over his lifetime, made 7 Holes-in-One. He never saw one of his best golf shots. He holed out from the fairway from 220 yards, cutting across the desert dog-leg on a blind shot. He heard some yelling, and he thought he must have hit someone, but when he got to the green, the foursome there told him as they were putting, a ball landed between them and rolled into the hole. As usual, he just took it in stride and picked up his ball. He was smart, a font of eclectic knowledge. He was an avid New York Times puzzle solver and managed to finish them all. He knew how to tell a story or a joke. He was a straight shooter and could always be depended upon for unvarnished answers and advice (he saved the varnish for the stories.) He was a rock and safe harbor in hard times and never hesitated to step in to help or protect those in need of it. He passed peacefully under the loving and unswerving care of his wife, Karin. He was preceded in death by his father James Carver, mother Nelle Gray and stepfather Charles Gray, (nicknamed Gamma and Bumpy by the grandchildren), wife Nita; his step-brother Richard Gray, and nephew Steve Benham. He is survived by Karin, his wife of 39 years, son Daniel (wife Lorelei, son Fenris and daughter Roxy); son Rob (wife Christine, their sons Sean (his wife Clarissa, sons Ethan & Emmett, daughter Eva), and Brian (wife Jennifer, son Finn & daughter Hadley); son Scott (wife Debbie, daughters Kacey & Krista); sister Diane Anaise (her husband David, daughter Lezlie & sons Mike & David); brother-in- law Armin Gerboth (wife Anneliese) in Germany; Karin's Uncle Horst Gerboth (wife Isolde) in Germany; many cousins and friends in Germany and in La Palma, Spain. He was loved and admired by his family and so many friends. The Carver Family wants to thank Hospice of the Valley for the excellent care Darrell received. A private service will be held for Darrell on March 10, 2021 at the National Veteran's Cemetery. Instead of flowers, please donate to the following: The First Tee of Phoenix, Disabled Veterans National Foundation, Inc., Hospice of the Valley. |
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