Darin Ray Layton

Darin Ray Layton passed from this life on June 5, 2025, at the age of  65, after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis. It was a journey he faced with grit, grace, and unwavering determination.

Born on February 17, 1960, in Hobbs, New Mexico, Darin was the youngest of three sons born to Donald Ray Layton and Mary Leanor Whitley Layton. He was preceded in death by his father and is survived by his mother; his brothers, Brad Layton and wife Carol Ann, and Kirk Layton and wife Brenda; his deeply devoted wife, Donna; and their two daughters, Dene Layton Geistweidt and husband Seth, and Davonne Layton Berry and husband Austin. He also leaves behind two beloved grandchildren, Donovan Ray Geistweidt and Sage Ruby Geistweidt, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

A proud 1978 graduate of Monterey High School, Darin was a talented athlete with a deep love for the outdoors. Whether scuba diving, golfing, or simply enjoying time in nature, Darin’s active spirit was evident in all he did. His sense of adventure and competitive edge were a lifelong part of who he was.

Darin met the love of his life, Donna Webb, at Highland Baptist Church, and the two were married on December 20, 1980. In classic Darin fashion, he proposed on Friday the 13th of that June, a gesture he found endlessly amusing and perfectly fitting with his offbeat sense of humor. That same wit endeared him to many throughout his life, even if it occasionally earned a few well-deserved eye rolls along the way.

Darin began working in the family’s oil production company, Layton Enterprises, Inc., while still in school at the ripe old age of 16. Over the next three decades, he built a respected career in the oil industry, eventually serving as Vice President of Operations. He was also the inventor of a patented downhole milling tool and method for milling, a testament to his innovative thinking and expertise in the field.

In his late 30’s, Darin was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, an illness that brought profound challenges to both he and his family. Yet, even as MS changed what was possible in his day-to-day life, it did not change his fighting spirit. With the support of close friends, Darin helped found the Lubbock chapter of the Carney Men, a cycling team that participated in MS150 fundraiser rides. Together, they raised over one million dollars for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a cause that became one of Darin’s greatest passions.

Darin’s life was not without hardship, and like all of us, he walked a path shaped by both light and struggle. But through it all, he never gave up on those he loved, and he never stopped showing up with quiet strength and resolve. In his final days, Darin expressed deep gratitude for the people who stood beside him, friends who made him laugh, family who loved him unconditionally, and the many who helped carry the weight of his journey.

Darin’s story is one of resilience, resourcefulness, and real human courage. Though he will be deeply missed, his legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the memories he created.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, in honor of Darin’s relentless fight and hope for a cure.

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