Darrell Gene Mashburn

Darrell Gene Mashburn, 71, of Kansas City, Missouri died December 1, 2025. Born September

17, 1954 in Covington, Tennessee, he was the eldest son of George Mashburn and Mazie

Cooper Mashburn. Seeking something more than the meager subsistence of tenant farming,

the family moved to Michigan City, Indiana when Darrell was two years old. Darrell attended

Elston High School where he met Janet Kay Miller when they had a class together. Soon after

his sophomore year began, family problems forced Darrell to leave school. But that didn’t keep

him from Janet for long, as he soon fell in love watching her sing in the choir at Faith City

Assembly of God. Darrell and Janet married September 23, 1972 and have been inseparable for

53 years.

Hard work was a constant in Darrell’s life. Even as an infant, he was carried on his mother’s

back while she picked cotton. As a young boy, he worked picking blueberries, mowing lawns,

shoveling snow, and delivering newspapers. As a young man, he got his first job working with

cars at RJ Imports in Michigan City. He started out pumping gas and sweeping floors, but his

mechanical aptitude was quickly apparent as he started learning the basics of auto mechanics.

Darrell joined the United States Marine Corps in 1975. Because a high school diploma was a

pre-requisite, he contacted the Michigan City school district to find out how to earn his GED. He

was told that the necessary exams were available in a staggered schedule over several weeks.

Eager to get started, he called the school district in a neighboring town and was told that they

could give him the tests as fast as he could take them. That is exactly what he did. He took all

the exams and earned his GED the following week.

After serving four years in the Marines, he moved his family to Kansas City, Missouri where he

lived for the remainder of his life. He quickly found work at Jack Miller Chrysler and then

worked for Western Auto for 17 years. Most recently, he worked for TLC Automotive in

Independence, Missouri for more than 25 years where he was an ASE certified automotive

technician. He also served 14 years in the National Guard, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Darrell’s commitment to serving his family and country was eclipsed only by a deep and abiding

faith in Jesus Christ. He could be found nearly every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening

at Trinity Christian Center, where he was a fixture, a friend, and a frequent handyman. He

credits the grace of God and the fellowship of the men’s bible study with helping him stay sober.

He celebrated 16 years sobriety last August, a priceless gift to his family.

Darrell will be remembered as a devoted husband, a demanding father, and a doting “Papa.” He

was especially proud of his daughter’s service in the United States Air Force and his sons’

college degrees. When he was not hard at work, he could always be found with his family. He

enjoyed traveling to visit family. He enjoyed cooking and often hosted barbecues for family and

friends. He loved having family gatherings for every holiday. Despite being unable to join us for

Thanksgiving dinner this year, he brought his family together to celebrate and give thanks. We

celebrate his life and give thanks for his example of service and love.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Martha Beal and Sheryle Ann Masters,

brother-in-law Mark Wantola, sister-in-law Denise Black, and one great grandson. He is

survived by his wife Janet and mother-in-law Lorna Miller of the home. He is also survived by

one brother Dennis (Theresa) Mashburn of LaPorte, Indiana and three sisters—Brenda Ferry of

Porter, Indiana, Cathy Mashburn and Kimberly Richardson both of Michigan City, Indiana, two

sons—Daniel Mashburn of Phoenix, Arizona and Darrell (Elise) Mashburn, Jr. of Lenexa, Kansas,

one daughter Elizabeth (Robert) Kelley, of Richmond, Virginia, nine grandchildren and two great

grandchildren.

A private viewing will be held for immediate family only on Friday, December 5, 2025.  An

informal remembrance service will also be held on Friday, December 5th at 7pm at Trinity

Christian Center, 5005 N. Brighton, Kansas City, Missouri.  All are welcome.  A formal memorial

service is being planned for next spring.