Darryl McKinley Sexton, MD

     Darryl McKinley Sexton, MD was born January 13, 1947, in Camden, New Jersey and departed this life on April 11, 2022 in Long Beach, California. He was the second son of the late Eleanora Fleming Sexton and Tyrone Y. Sexton. Darryl was preceded in death by his older brother, David Sexton.

     Raised in Lawnside, New Jersey, Dr. Sexton grew up among many family members who were relatives of the famed abolitionist William Still. While a student at Haddon Heights High School, he was not only an excellent academic student but also an outstanding track and field athlete setting  120 yard high hurdle records that were not broken for decades after his graduation. Always interested in science, Dr. Sexton’s career goal was made clear for him at a young age when he was treated for an emergency foot injury by a local physician. Following the injections, stitches, blood-soaked gauzes, bandages and probably a few tears, his medical path goal was solidified.

    After earning a BS in chemistry from Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia and working as a chemist and computer analyst for IBM in Kingston, New York, Darryl earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

     Darryl met his wife Alice in upstate New York and the two were married in August 1972. As their son “Little” Darryl grew, “Big” Darryl, a dedicated dad, was a constant presence in his life attending and cheering on at sporting events, attending the many musical concerts, and participating in Scouting, school, Jack & Jill and church events. 

     Working for the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services for nearly 27 years (1981-2007), Dr. Sexton served 10 1/2 years as Occupational Health Service Officer and 16 years as City Health Officer maintaining and improving the health of city employees and the nearly half million city residents.

     While still working as well as throughout retirement, Dr. Sexton maintained a strong interest, commitment and advocacy in quality and preventive health care for all. He served  on several boards/professional organizations including LBMMC’s Children’s Dental Health Clinic that provides service to indigent children, Long Beach American Diabetes Association, Long Beach – South East Harbor American Cancer Society, Sarcoidosis Network Foundation, Long Beach branch NAACP as Health Chairperson, and Retirement Housing Foundation - A major national nonprofit agency addressing affordable housing and services for low income seniors, families and persons with disabilities.

      Still living by one of his mother’s family mandates, besides of course the clean your plate edict, Dr. Sexton made it a habit to help others and give back. He also was an active member of the Downtown Lions Club of Long Beach, a Long Beach Unified School District volunteer and science fair reviewer, Bellflower/Long Beach Elks Lodge # 888 member, Cub Scout and Boy Scout Assistant Leader, Los Altos UCC Choir member, and Chair of the African American Heritage Society of Long Beach.

     Although the day only has 24 hours somehow, Dr. Sexton still found time for a few hobbies. These included a little handball, Bonsai work, a variety CSULB OLLI classes, watching “Family Feud” that he actually wanted the family to try out for, sci-fi anything, tending the shelves of books he read and the many more shelves of books he intended to read, longevity stick workouts, practicing the recorder and the two biggies- genealogy and barbecuing.

     A descendant of abolitionist and author William Still, Dr. Sexton thoroughly enjoyed delving into his family’s rich history by reading, attending conferences, doing on-line research, communicating with family members, attending family reunions, and sharing his findings with others.

     Frequently, it was not fireplace smoke you’d smell in the neighborhood, no matter the season - it was actually Dr. Sexton in the backyard marinating, basting, seasoning, tending the charcoal, and turning the fish, fowl, or meat on the grill to culinary perfection. Taking after his father who developed his very own secret sauce and who successfully ran a popular weekend BBQ booth in “The Park” in Lawnside, New Jersey Dr. Sexton was likewise ever so skillful and content in his element at the backyard grill.

     Dr. Sexton leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 49 years Alice, his son Darryl E. Sexton, sister Marcia Sexton of Lawnside, NJ, brother Alonzo Sexton (Geraldine) of Frisco, TX, nephews Alonzo T. Sexton II, MD (Dr. Shenara) of Atlanta, GA, Robert Sexton (Rhonda) of West Columbia, SC, Richard Sexton (Heather) of Bowie, MD, Kristian Thomas (Natasha) of Raleigh, NC, Kevin Krautwald (Diana) of Raleigh, NC, Shawn Sexton (Angie) of Simpsonville, SC, niece Wendy Thomas-Wilder of Raleigh, NC, sister-in-law Joan Sexton of Simpsonville, SC, and a host of relatives, extended family members, colleagues, patients and friends.

 

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Acknowledgments

     The family of Darryl M. Sexton MD wishes to express our  heartfelt gratitude for the many expressions of kindness extended to us.  Our time of sorrow is made easier by your prayers, comforting messages and support. Thank you.

                                              -The Family

 

Memorial donations may be made to the Retirement Housing Foundation/Philanthropy Department (RHF) (562) 257-5100  or the Children’s Dental Health Clinic (562) 933-0549.