Darrel Richard Meyerdirk

Darrel Richard Meyerdirk passed away quietly at Lakewood Rehabilitation Center on Thursday, October 25, 2017, following a lengthy illness, which is just a few days before his 80th birthday on November 2. He was born in Minot, North Dakota, to the late Perry Alvin and Hazel Ann Christianson Meyerdirk. He was preceded in death by one brother, Jess Alvin, and two sisters, Amelia Mary Long and Marlene Ardis Riggs. He grew up in Modesto, Calif., and graduated from Modesto High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Air Force and proudly served for 6 years, most of which was at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville. During his tenure at LRAF Base, he met the love of his life, Carol Dodd. The couple later married and have celebrated 56 years together. Darrel is survived by his wife, Carol, and two children: Karl Meyerdirk of Little Rock and Karen Meyerdirk Liggett of Reston, Vs.; three grandchildren, Everett, Carter, and Allison Leggett. Darrel worked for Western Electric and related subsidiary companies for 29 years as an installer and technician. Travels with the company took him to many part of the United States installing the first fiber optic cables in the central part of the United States. He was an avid fisherman and knew all of the lakes in central Arkansas and could catch fish when no one else was getting a bite. Darrel loved to share the bounty of his fishing trips with his Sunday School Class, Friends-in-Faith, at Trinity United Methodist Church. Also, at Trinity, Darrel was active in the Methodist Men and served faithfully week after week as an usher. He was responsible for recording weekly attendance. Darrel was known for his ability to "make something out of nothing." Following his retirement, he was willing to help others with "around the house" and yard jobs. He was an active participant in the Life Quest senior initiative program from Second Presbyterian Church where he received a Dedicated Service Award for his service and work. A service of celebration of Darrel's life will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 28, at 11 a.m with a visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 1101 N. Mississippi, LR 72207 or Life Quest of Arkansas, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, LR, 72227. An online guestbook is available at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.