David Howard Darden

David Howard Darden, 84, of Lubbock, Texas peacefully entered into God’s arms on August 30, 2024, with his loved ones surrounding him.

David was born on September 8, 1939, to Howard and Mary Darden in Girard, Texas. David was the fourth of six siblings, four sisters – Diana, Sue, Janis and Linda, and brother Chuck.

Raised in Lubbock, Texas, David graduated from Lubbock High School in 1958, and attended Texas Tech University where he majored in Finance, and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and the Saddle Tramps. During and after college, David proudly served in the Army Reserves for six years.

David graduated from Texas Tech in 1963 and started his career in the insurance business where his early days at Jim Finley & Associates sent him traveling overseas to Amsterdam, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

David married Donna Lea Helm in Lubbock, Texas on April 15, 1982. David was a lover of life, he loved spending time cheering on his beloved Texas Tech Red Raiders, playing golf, running, tending to his lawn, cooking out and spending time with family.

David was the ultimate sports enthusiast, from football, baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, you name it. He loved watching his family play sports and loved getting to coach his son’s MOB basketball teams.

David will always be remembered for his unwavering love for his family. He always ensured his children were happy, healthy and safe. The honor of his life was being their dad.

In David’s last chapter of his life, he was beloved “Da-Da” or “Pops” to his three grandchildren, Ethan West, Dash Darden and Taz Darden. The joy his grandchildren brought him kept him going over these last few years.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Mary Darden, and his sisters, Diana Mae Nettles, Mary “Sue” Malone, and Janis Crismon, and his niece, Patti Nettles. He is survived by his wife Donna, his daughter Laura Lea West and her husband Clayton, and their child Ethan, his son John Logan Darden and his wife Katie, and their children Dash and Taz. He is also survived by his brother Chuck (Carolyn) Darden, sister Linda (Steve) Pimlott, many beloved nieces and nephews, and countless other loved ones. All who knew and loved David will miss him dearly.

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