Darrel E. Wark

Darrel Eugene Wark was born May 17, 1937, on the farm northwest of Rexford, KS that his grandparents homesteaded. He passed away on May 25, 2025, at Citizens’ Medical Center in Colby, KS, with his wife, Valerie (Flipse) of 69 years by his side.

Darrel and Valerie met at a soda fountain in Colby in the summer of 1953 and were married in 1956. They lived on a farm just down the road from where he was born and raised, until a fire took that home in 1969. They moved in to Rexford and lived there until 1984, at which time they moved to Colby. They maintained their dedication to each other every year, as well as to their children, grandchildren and great, grandchildren. You could find Darrel at nearly every school event that his children participated in. He was proud of every family members’ accomplishments and that they chose to lead good, hard-working lives, as he had portrayed for them.

As a young boy, he learned a strong work ethic from his parents, and a love (obsession) with cars from his father. He built his first roadster in high school with his dad. He went on to build many cars, loving mid-century Mercuries and 1929-1932 roadsters. He did antique auto racing, loved going to the Bonneville Salt Flats for Speed Week in Utah and attended countless car shows across the country. He loved finding old cars and car parts at swap meets, in salvage yards and many pastures, what we called “junkin”. He handcrafted unusual items into car parts. He often won awards for his flathead engines, with his attitude that shinier is better!

Darrel grew up reading every Hot Rod magazine from cover to cover, and dreamed of someday having one of his cars featured in one. He accomplished that dream in 2012, when his modified, souped-up Tractor made Hot Rod magazine, as the first tractor they ever featured. He also had his 1950 Mercury on the cover and inside of Hot Rod Mechanix in 1994.

He attended Rexford schools, where he played volleyball, basketball and baseball. In his later years, he was quite the story-teller and told of many tricks that he and his friends played on each other. He graduated in 1955.

Coon hunting was a hobby that Darrel enjoyed as a young man. He had many dogs over the years and often had them in the pickup with him. He joked a lot about his spoiled little poodle Harley, but was still glad to hold him, even in his final days.

Darrel farmed until his retirement, growing irrigated and dryland crops. As a young man, he raised hogs and cattle, but preferred crop farming. He was a corn and sorghum seed dealer to farmers in the surrounding area for 52 years. He won many sales awards over the years along with many seed meeting / vacation trips to share with Valerie. They traveled together and were partners in business and life. Their bond was unmatched.

Darrel gave his time in various capacities including volunteer fireman, city judge and school board member in Rexford. In Colby, he did behind the scenes help as racing pit crew for his sons, Thomas County Speedway supporter, carnival equipment start-up volunteer and a helper at many car shows. He shared his extensive engine and car knowledge and experience with anyone that was interested. (And some that were not.)

Darrel was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Elsie (Williams) Wark, brother Lawrence and wife Hulda (Rall); brother, Alvin; sister, Marie Berrie; brother-in-law Donald Flipse, sister-in-law Cleona Flipse. The remaining family are wife, Valerie (Flipse), son Kevin and wife Susan (Beckman), daughter Kimberly and husband, Karl Klotzbach, son Kerry and wife Leesa (Potthoff); nine grandchildren: Ryan (Brandi), Dr. Kellie (Phil Schindler), John (Oriana), Dr. Logan (Kendall Wehkamp), Caitlyn (Marc Bremenkamp), Hannah Klotzbach (Grayson Nielsen) and Liam Klotzbach (Olivia Mayne); Cody (Katie) and Kaid (Jenna); 11 great grandchildren: Dr. Brooke (Nate Larson), Tucker, Talon, Raelyn, Henley, Georgia, Anders, Shane, Rowyn, Knox and Wyatt; brother-in-law Bruce Flipse; sister-in-law Rosa Flipse and many nieces and nephews.

The memorial service is at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 2, 2025, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to NWKareS Hospice and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com