Name: Visitation for Darell Koons
Start: 2016-06-30T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-07-01T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park - Greenville

Darell J. Koons

Greenville, SC

On Tuesday, June 28, Darell John Koons, widower of the late Joyce Sherwood Koons, went home to be with his Savior. Darell "fought a good fight, [he] finished [his] course, [he] kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for [him] a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give [him] at that day." 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Born in Albion, Michigan on December 18, 1924, to John Henry Koons and Viola Foss Koons, Darell spent most of his childhood in the Albion-Homer area of Southern Michigan. He earned an undergraduate degree in art from Bob Jones University in 1951, and later, a Master of Arts degree in Art Education from Western Michigan University. In 1955 he began his long teaching career at BJU, retiring in 1995. Darell was an artist known primarily for his paintings of barns, churches, mills, and rural scenes. He had over 45 one-man exhibitions, more than 100 group exhibitions, and exhibited in regional and national competitions where he received numerous awards. His paintings have been displayed in private offices of politicians, the governor's mansion (SC), and in the White House. They are included in public collections: The Gibbes Museum, The Greenville County Museum of Art, The South Carolina State Art Collection, The Mint Museum, and others. He was one of the original owners of Hampton III Gallery, Taylors, SC.

Surviving are his children: Sandy (Furman) Hendrix, John (Renee) Koons, Shery (Jim) Borenstein, Susan Fleck, Mark (Jennifer) Koons; grandchildren: Laura (Todd) Leonard, Charlie (Sherri) Hendrix, Daniel Hendrix, Melissa (Joshua) Whitt, Rebecca Hendrix, David Hendrix, Darell (Heather) Koons, Sarah (Roger) Sabatini, Jennifer Borenstein, Joshua Borenstein, Zachary Fleck, Zoey Fleck, David, Joseph, Chris, and Bradley Koons; and 7 great- grandchildren. Darell was a member of Trinity Bible Church, Greer, SC. The family appreciates the loving care showered on their dad/ grandpa by the staff at Shepherd's Care Assisted Living Center, Barge Memorial Hospital, Rolling Green Village, and especially Cindy, Larry, Daniel, Paul, and all those of South Carolina Hospice and Palliative Care. You have shown the love of Christ in many tangible ways. Thank you for everything.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2016 from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville.

Memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 1, 2016 at Heritage Bible Church, 2005 Old Spartanburg Road, Greer, with Pastors Greg Mazak and Daniel Brooks presiding.

A private committal will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the BJU Museum & Gallery, 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville, SC 29614, Frontline Missions International, P.O. Box 829, Taylors, SC 29687, or to The Wilds Christian Camp, 3201 Rutherford Rd, Taylors, SC 29687. www.woodlawn-fh.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Greenville News on Jun. 29, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Darell Koons

Sponsored by Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park - Greenville.

27 Entries

Leigh Stetson Schoch

August 16, 2016

Mr. Koons was my teaching advisor and spiritual mentor while I was studying art at BJU. He was such an encouragement all along the way. He, Mr. Blair and Mr Bopp, were the trio of inspiring but truly humble teachers I will never forget. They gave each of us such personal attention and guidance. I often think of them while I am painting and can still hear their voices. Darell continues to be an influence in my life and work...every time I see a barn I want to capture it in paint!

July 7, 2016

We want to send our sympathy and regards to Sandy, John, Shery, Susan and Mark at the passing of your Father. He will be remembered mostly for his love for Jesus and also for his love of family and the way He could paint the world around him. He has left you a wonderful heritage.
Dale and Karen Sherwood

July 6, 2016

I remember Uncle Darrell and Aunt Joyce from their summer visits to Michigan. Always enjoyed seeing them and visiting. I remember watching him draw or paint as he sat in our yard.
To his children and grandchildren ( my second and third cousins), I pray that the Lord gives you strength at this time. We look forward to the glorious appearance of Jesus and seeing Him first and then our loved one who have gone before us.
Robin (Sherwood) VanderWerf

Koons & Blair

Ruthie Blair Lair

July 5, 2016

Ruthie Blair Lair

July 5, 2016

I am so sorry I was unable to attend the funeral. My father, Carl Blair, and Carol Stilwell were there. They were both deeply touched by the tributes at the service.

Mr. Koons and my dad were on the art faculty together for over forty years. They shared the same office and worked on many projects and exhibits for the university and the arts in Greenville side by side.

Both grew up as farm boys. They worked hard their entire lives. Nothing was easily handed to them and they both have been Givers rather than Takers.

Dad visited Mr. Koons at Rolling Green and they had plenty to talk about. They lit up in each others' presence like old times. They shared a love of art, their students and colleagues and most of all the same faith. They were pictures of Jesus to those they encountered - humble, accepting, kind, always there to help or lift up another.

What a joy to know Mr. Koons is in the arms of Jesus. He was a true and faithful servant. My heartfelt sympathy to the family. Shery, your words captured his beautiful transition from this earthly life to heaven. May the Lord comfort you all.

philip owen

July 5, 2016

sincere thoughts of the privilege to have been his pastor. Sincser prayers to all the family. . Praise God for perfect salvation. God Bless You PKO

Shery Borenstein

July 2, 2016

Words can never adequately express the thoughts and emotions when you say, Goodnight to someone you so dearly love. For several days as I left my Dad's bedside to go home and rest a few hours, I took Dad by the hand, kissed him on the forehead, and said, Goodnight, Dad. I love you. I'll see you in the morning! When you and your loved one have the hope of eternal life in heaven (John 3:16), there is no need for a final goodbye.

As my dad completed his final days on earth, a remarkable thing happened that was so sweet to observe. In his coma-like state, Dad began lifting his right hand and with his fingers held as though holding a paint brush, he began painting with delicate strokes. At first I couldn't understand why his hand was moving in this fashion. I watched several times as he did this, curiously wondering if he was trying to write words or a message. It wasn't until later when my daughter commented to me, Mom, didn't it look like Grandpa was painting? that it struck me that indeed Dad was painting. Oh, how I wish I could have seen what he was trying to paint for us! Was it colors of heaven that I have never seen? Was it angels who were coming to escort Dad to Jesus Himself? Could he see his Savior in all of His heavenly glory as Dad waited to step from this temporary life to his forever home? I don't know the answers to this, but I do believe that Dad with his God-given artistic abilities had a deep desire to paint the scene he saw as he lingered between earth and heaven.

I love you Dad. I'll see you in the morning!

James Campbell

July 1, 2016

I was a great admirer of Mr. Koons' work. I worked in Greenville City Hall for many years and once had the task of caring for the City Hall art collection. My two favorite works were done by Mr. Koons. He was a great talent who provided inspiration to many. He will be missed, not only by his loving family, but by the Greenville community and the art world.

July 1, 2016

I am so sorry for the loss of your father but rejoicing with you that he is with the Lord.
He truly had a servant's heart! Always ready to give advice, cut a mat, and chop moulding for a frame. Humble, honest, hard working and fun-loving are just a few words to describe him.
A great artist and true friend!
A former art student of Mr. Koons,
Paula (Norfleet) Cheadle

Tresa Blighton-Miller

June 30, 2016

Uncle Darell will be truly missed and his family is in our Prayers

June 30, 2016

Jack and I are very sorry for your loss.
The short 9 years we knew him was a privilege.
He had a great sense of humor and wonderful conversation.
We treasure his life's work, but more, the man himself.
God Bless all of you.
Catherine Kilpatrick

June 30, 2016

Jack and I are so sorry for your loss.
The short time of 9 years that we knew him, was a privilege. Great sense of humor and wonderful conversation. We treasure his work, but more the man himself.

God bless all of you.
Catherine Kilpatrick

Connie Buchanan Wakefield

June 29, 2016

I am sorry for the loss of your dear Father. I am so sorry that I missed visiting with him while at Barge or Sheperd's Care. I wish I could have been able to say goodbye, I but will see him in Heaven one day. I had Mr. Koons for Teaching Art at BJU. He was a sweet person and always made time to talk to me. May the Lord comfort your family during this difficult time. God Bless your family

Timm Artus

June 29, 2016

Mr. Koons was a calm, humble man who never let on that he was an artistic genius. He was my college advisor, professor, cheerleader, and friend. Not only was he a master with paint, but he also taught and demonstrated chalk talks. And for us "starving (student) artists" he cut and assembled frames for our work at greatly reduced prices. Whether you were a fine arts major or just took his "teaching art" class--he treated you with the same dignity. In a world of showboats and snobs, he was a Christian gentleman. And while his barns might be dismissed as quaint, the trained eye saw an amazing range of color and detail and story packed into a snapshot of Americana.

Sally (Beam) Davis

June 29, 2016

Mr. Koons...a talented artist with a kind heart and gentle Christ like spirit, with a great sense of humor... I was in his Teaching Art class as well as Sketching class at BJU in the early 80s. He was one of my favorites and left a lasting impression on me.
Heaven is sweeter knowing he will be there.

Don & Susan Sunday

June 29, 2016

Darell and Joyce were dear to our hearts. We have such fond and loving memories of how we were taken in by the entire family and helped us get adjusted to our new life in SC.
We love you all.
Don & Susan Sunday

Dawn Juchum

June 29, 2016

I first met Mr Koons when he did a Chalk Talk at our church in the mid 80's. It was very impressive to watch him chalk a beautiful Christmas picture of the Shepherds on the hillside with the sheep & Angels as he told the Christmas story! At the end of the event, he very kindly gave us the "Chalk Talk", and it has been preserved & framed & it still hangs in my mother's living room to this day, as beautiful as it was when he first chalked it! He was such a kind man and extremely talented!!! Prayers to the family at this time!

Lynda Slattery

June 29, 2016

Mr. Koons as we always called him even as adults will be missed. I always thought just a couple of classes with him wasn't enough to learn from this master! My late husband, Mike and I met as fellow art majors and after we married, he joined the art faculty and he learned even more from Mr. Koons, including how to mass produce frames for his own artwork. He has always enjoyed chatting with Mr. Koons in between teaching classes, and even many years later, when Mike was in hospice care at the Barge, Mr. Koons, also a resident there came by his room nearly every day to chat a bit. Mr. Koons will always be remembered fondly and we all look forward to seeing him again in Heaven.

Malcolm Cummings

June 29, 2016

Darell was a long-time friend. Betty Rae and I were neighbors with Darell and Joyce in the faculty housing units at BJU in the 1950's. Betty Rae served on the staff and faculty with him. She and Joyce went Home to be with the Lord about the same time several years ago. Of course, he was a renowned artist, but he was also the humblest person I ever knew. God's blessings to all the family!

Stephanie True

June 29, 2016

Mr. Koons was one of my art teachers in college in the late 70's. I loved his artwork. He was such a character. Kindhearted, funny and always smiling. Condolences to the family on his loss.

Ann Poole

June 29, 2016

Darell Koons was a total inspiration to me when I was a teen. I was introduced to his work and it went on to influence my own art. I finally got to meet him at the Hampton III Gallery and was still awestruck even though I was in my 40's by then. I had felt like I had met a star. I am honored to have a couple of his paintings hanging in my home and will always be a fan.
My prayers are with you....
Ann Poole - Simpsonville SC

My husband, sister, brother, and me with Grandpa

Sarah Sabatini

June 28, 2016

Loved my Grandpa so much. So thankful he is no longer in pain but I will miss him! So thankful for all he taught me over the years. Thankful he was so influential in my life and for all the things he taught me about our Savior Jesus Christ! Blessed with every moment we spent together even the last few hours of his life. Thankful for almost 27 years of life and memories with him. I miss you Grandpa but I will see you again!

Debbie Harris

June 28, 2016

Mr. & Mrs. Koons and family were wonderful long time friends of the Harris family. Mr. Koons was a brilliant artist and Christ-like servant. Heaven is brighter. Our prayers are with your precious family.

Debbie Harris

June 28, 2016

Larry Bitting

June 28, 2016

He was an outstanding man who I got the pleasure of taking care of and meeting. I will always treasure our time and memories. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with all his family during this difficult time. RIP. Mr. Koons

Sandy Rupp

June 28, 2016

To all the children: I will miss your dad. He was one of the backbones of Hampton III Gallery and his paintings have been admired by many for decades. I am grateful that I knew him, not only as an artist, but also as a kind man who gave thanks to those who reached out to him. He always had a word of advise and he was never afraid of work. His example will live on. How wonderful that his palette is even more radiant now than the one he used here on earth. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

June 28, 2016

Mr. Koons was a good friend both at BJU and at Trinity Bible Church. I will miss him, but thankful I will see him again. Due to my disability, I sent cards to him when he was at Rolling Greens instead of physically visiting him. We had a death in the family today. So I can't visit you and his family. If the Lord allows, I might make it to my family's memorial service, the same day as Mr. Koons. You are my prayers.

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