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Darroyl Orien Eugene Sims was born on June 4, 1922 to Alba and Gertrude (Apperlie) Sims at Madison, South Dakota. He grew up in Philip, South Dakota and graduated from Philip High School. He attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota on a football scholarship.

Darroyl met his future wife during college and he and Margaret Huyck were married on March 13, 1943 at Dakota City, Nebraska. Darroyl enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1943. He was an instructional pilot until his discharge in 1945. After the Army, Darroyl returned to Dakota Wesleyan and finished his BA in Education, he then went on to earn his Masters in Administration at Colorado State College.

In 1948, Darroyl and Margie moved to Custer, South Dakota. He taught and coached various sports and was a renowned basketball coach who developed his own zone defense that was handed down to his son. Darroyl took two teams to the state A tournament. Darroyl was the first recipient into the Custer Wall of Fame in 1988, and was inducted into the South Dakota Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996. Darroyl went on to become the principal and later the superintendent of Custer Public Schools. In 1964, Darroyl, Margie and family moved to Pierre for one year while he was the business manager of the Pierre Public Schools. In 1965, he returned to Custer and became the administrator of the Custer State Hospital where he remained until his retirement in 1984.

Darroyl was an avid golfer and entered and placed in many tournaments. Darroyl and Margie traveled around the southwest playing on various golf courses until Darroyl found the one he couldn't live without. They became snowbirds and lived in Desert Center, California, returning to Custer during the spring and summer for the next twenty years.

Darroyl was a member of the Custer Community Church, and belonged to the Masonic Temple, the Shriners, and the Elks. During his working years, he was a member of the Rotary Club.

Darroyl enjoyed golfing, fishing and building, often helping his son, daughter and neighbors in various projects. He was well known to be the first person to lend a hand to his neighbors if problems occurred in Desert Center.

Because of medical problems, Darroyl and Margie were staying with their son and his family in Maynard, Minnesota. Darroyl passed away at home on December 23, 2005 surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Margie Huyck Sims, his son Gary and wife Gloria of Maynard, his daughter Linda of Pahrump, Nevada; and three grandchildren, Autumn Grund (Chris) of Maple Ridge, B.C., Sunder and London Sims of Maynard.

Darroyl was preceded in death by his grandparents and his parents.

Memorial services were held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 3, 2006 at the Custer Community Church UCC in Custer with Pastor Donald Stoebner officiating.

Rush Funeral Home of Philip is in charge of arrangements.

Cards and letters may be sent to Margie at PO Box 17, Maynard, MN 56260

Saturday, June 3, 2006 1:00 p.m..

Custer Community Church UCC

Custer, South Dakota

Pastor Donald Stoebner

Kathy Larsen – Organist

Diedrich Koch – Vocalist

Congregational Hymn

Autumn Grund – Sunder Sims – London Sims

David Bowes – Byron Ward

Glenn Flanagan – Karl Jackl

Herm VeneKamp – Jerry Parkinson

Walt Thomas – Ray Strain

And Former Players, Golfing Buddies and Friends

Darroyl's Register Book   Darroyl's Memorial Video

Darroyl's Flowers       Back to Obituaries