Daryl Lee Vanderpool, 76, a longtime resident of Monte Vista, Colo., known for his friendly personality, playful sense of humor and the gift of gab, died May 26, 2022, in Pueblo, Colo., after a lengthy battle with COPD.
Daryl was born on Sept. 2, 1945, in Rifle, Colo., to Bernie M. Vanderpool and Nellie Marie (Duncan) Vanderpool. He spent most of his childhood in Saguache, Colo. His family moved to Monte Vista when he was a teenager, and he graduated from Monte Vista High School in 1963 where he was voted “class clown” by his senior class.
In Monte Vista, Daryl met Darlene Ann Spencer, his high school sweetheart, and they were married in 1964. Two sons, Tracy and Eric, soon followed.
Being an avid “gearhead” of the 1950s and 1960s, Daryl enjoyed all aspects related to automobiles. This led to his career choices working in collision repair and automotive parts supply. His love of cars carried over as a hobby when not at work, resulting in Daryl building and repairing cars for family, friends and neighbors.
Daryl was an avid supporter of his sons’ endeavors, including hauling the family camper all over Colorado to summer weekend swim meets, helping Eric with science fair projects, and then later becoming a fixture in the stands at Tracy’s football and basketball games.
Daryl also liked to spend time in the mountains, fishing, backpacking, camping, and cutting firewood.
Once Tracy and Eric were grown, Daryl retired early. He became a video game enthusiast, a fan of cable news, a history buff, a Cajun music and food aficionado, a robust walker and bicyclist, a keeper of detailed weather records, and a skilled woodworker.
When living at the Valley’s high altitude became too much because of his COPD, Daryl and Darlene moved to Pueblo, where Daryl spent the last six years of his life. Even after COPD robbed Daryl of much of his joy, ice cream always brought a smile to his face. His freezer was always stocked with multiple kinds and flavors. Please have some ice cream in his memory.
Daryl is survived by his wife Darlene, sister Doris Abeyta, sons Tracy (Colleen) and Eric (Joseph), grandchildren Mitchell (Brooklyn) and Blair, great-granddaughter Kaycie Rae, many nieces and nephews, and his Maltese dog Princess Mia.
Celebrations of life 1 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2022, Oakshire Trails, 2300 Oakshire Lane, Pueblo, and 10 a.m., Friday, June 17, 2022, Monte Vista Cemetery Chapel.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations in Daryl’s name be made to Sangre de Cristo Hospice, 1920 Valley Drive, Pueblo, CO, 81008, or at www.sangre.org. To share online condolences, please visit www.romerofamilyfuneralhome.com.