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Wesley Andrew Darby
1928 - 2015
Wesley Andrew Darby
1928 - 2015
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1928
DIED
2015
Wesley Darby Obituary
Born September 19, 1928, Born Again and called to serve in February, 1944. He began his Ministry in 1946, continued in ministry until Monday, December 14, 2015, when he was taken from us and entered Heaven.
He is joining his mother, father, brothers, sister and youngest daughter, family and faithful friends, who he helped lead to Christ.
He is survived by his bride of almost 70 yrs, Donna (Bice) Darby, his daughters: Carol Eymann, Lorna Darby, Elizabeth Bass, and Andrea Voss, their respective spouses, eleven grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren.
After pastoring in Flagstaff and Clifton, he accepted the pastorate at West High Baptist Church, Phoenix, AZ in August, 1955, where he continued to serve and assist after he retired - twice.
Along with Pastoring, he taught at Southwestern Baptist Bible College, which he was instrumental in founding. He also served on many committees and boards, assisting with major projects for multiple organizations in the greater Phoenix area.
It is safe to say, Pastor Darby served, loved, mentored, and prayed for thousands of people over the years, many who are serving in ministry.
He was an amazing man who did ALL that God called him to do.
Celebration of Life Service:
Saturday, March 12, 2016 10 am
West High Baptist Church
3301 N 19th Ave
Phx, AZ 85015
A Celebration of Life service will be held in March, so that all can attend.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, please support your local minister.
www.gofundme.com/darbyfamily
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Rella (Gray) Bigbey
March 12, 2016
There are so many stories that I could recall because of his love for the young people at West High, but I remember particularly after I had graduated from college and taken my first job as a teacher in Ajo I had a burden on my heart to go to Africa. I called Pastor Darby and shared my burden with him. He made it possible for me to go for a year to teach missionary and Embassy children in Senagel and was supported by West High Baptist Church. I will always be grateful to Pasror Darby for that once in a lifetime experience.
Larry and Linda Gray
March 9, 2016
Pastor Darby, was a God filled man who will be sorely missed. Linda and I had several interesting and supporting conversations on Arizona politics, with Pastor Darby. I am very conflicted because we are picking up our granddaughter, Bella, and she has her first soccer game at 9:30 am in Surprise on March 12. Larry and Linda Gray
Mark Gresin
March 5, 2016
I don't know the pastor but I do know Phil Dickey and that's good enough for me. RIP Pastor Wesley Andrew Darby
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Phil Dickey
March 5, 2016
As others have said, the memories of our beloved Pastor Darby could fill a book, so it's hard to know what to say here.
My family came to West High in 1959. Pastor Darby baptized me that year, and so began a lifelong relationship with Wes as Pastor, teacher, advisor, and friend.
A time or two over the years, he said to me how it alway bothered him that the church never grew as much as he had wished, but I responded, "There's more than one way to grow a church" and reminded him of the many, many young people (and some not so young) who were encouraged and influenced by him to go into full time ministries of their own. I was one of the most unlikely, it seemed to me, but now we have been over 21 years on the road in full time ministry. When I think of the multiplied thousands of people who are the beneficiaries of Pastor Darby's multi-generational ministry, I am amazed.
Pastor Darby taught me how to mark my Bible to aid in study, and he taught me so many important life principles, not the least of which was the true meaning of love. He taught love with his voice and his actions. In 1971 he drove to Concord, California to marry Joy and me.
When we returned to Arizona after my time serving in the Navy, Wes put me to work, and it was my pleasure to serve the Lord at West High in various capacities over the years including Trustee, Deacon, Treasurer, Worship Leader & Soloist, and S.S. Teacher. I was always encouraged along the way by Pastor Darby and, in some of those capacities, I was privileged to work closely with him. When we went "on the road" in ministry in 1995, we had to leave the close weekly contact with Pastor Darby, but we have been blessed by the continuing friendship of Wes and Donna.
I will end this tribute with the words that I have heard Wes repeat so often. At nearly every believer's funeral he preached, he would say this, and I repeat it now in his honor, "Heaven is a little sweeter now".
Jim Saemenes
March 4, 2016
Where to start . . .Pastor Darby was the only Pastor I had from 2nd grade until I left for Seminary, and in some ways he never stopped being my Pastor. I remember a time when he brought the newsletter to my house late at night for my dad to take to the PO in the morning. I was sick he came into my room briefly prayed with me and then was on his way. I remember trips out shooting, TFY Saturday nights, not telling my parents when he caught me doing something unwise, driving me home many times, talks in his office on walks home from school, believing in me when I did not believe in myself, nearly drowning me in the baptistry when I was baptized, putting up with me when I did silly youth things, to many trips to mention to all sorts of places, Prescott Pines trips, Rocky Point, Grand Canyon, Verde River just to name a few. Coming to Seattle to marry Eileen and I, stopping in to see us nearly every time he was in the neighborhood no matter where we lived, letting me serve as his YP for awhile, teaching me about Jesus, preaching and like so many encouraging me to become involved in full time ministry, maybe most of all just showing me throughout my life that he loved me. Pastor Darby Thank You for showing me an so many others Jesus!
Andrea Voss
February 23, 2016
Andrea Voss
February 23, 2016
Ervin Oneil
February 14, 2016
I remember February, 1974, 30 years after Pastor Darby was born again, he knelt with me during Revival Week at West High, when I said the sinner's prayer and accepted Jesus as my Savior. While paths change and people move on, I have always viewed him as my spiritual father in the Lord .
Pauline Askren
February 1, 2016
Remembering with love Donna and family. I'm grateful for friendship and emotional support as we served in Arizona during the 1980's. When I spoke with Wes by phone in early December, he said "PRAY for us" and I did! GOD is GOOD.
Anne Marie Putman
January 17, 2016
Pastor Darby, I met him a long time ago. He has been a part of my life and my thoughts. He is a blessing to me and my family. I lived out of state for a long time, I am very lucky to have know Pastor Darby and his family. I love you all and load of prayer and thoughts go out to you all.
Katherine Van Liew
January 7, 2016
Pastor Darby was a great servant of the LORD. He was extremely supportive to young men, like my husband Vaughn and countless others who were called to ministry. He gave us our start. We are thankful to Pastor Darby and the entire Darby family for sharing him with all of us throughout so many years.
January 7, 2016
I loved Wesley as my college teacher, pastor and friend. Condolences to Donna and the rest of the family.
Dr. Habib J. Khoury
Fairport, New York
Roni (Cindy) (Gray) Glasgow
January 6, 2016
With much love and wonderful memories I know he is basking in the fullness of His Lord and savior Jesus. It is amazing to reflect on the influence he had on so many!!!!! A man ever willing to stand up and for the cause of Christ. I am so very thankful that I could call him Pasor Darby!
Andrea Voss
January 5, 2016
I found the bible given to my dad on the day of his high school graduation. In it he marked 2 Timothy 2:1-3 as his life verse:
" Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
It's so difficult to write, to talk about, to say anything through the tears, still.
My dad lived his life for God, the church, and his family. He was known for giving his last dollar and the clothes off his back. He lived his life as a servant - helping others.
As a member of a pastor's family - as the daughter of "Pastor Daddy Darby" - I shared my dad with many people, knowing and understanding that he could be called away at any moment.
My dad was so proud of all those young people who are serving in the ministry today in part because of his education, example, and encouragement.
My dad was also proud of his daughters, even though I was supposed to be an Andrew instead of an Andrea, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I know his passing has left a hole in the world, in my life, in other lives.
I also understand it is difficult to wait until March for the Memorial Service or Celebration of his life. His family was not able to make it back to Phoenix at this time, and we had to put the family first in the decision to wait.
I miss my daddy so much, but I know he lived a full life and he gave more than he took. He lived for others.
Matthew 25:23
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Sharon Jones
December 31, 2015
My mom,brother and I have known Pastor Darby and his family since 1961. He came to marry me in little rock, arkansas in august 1985. He also married my mom and Hank Phillps 45 years ago at West High Baptist Church. He was always there to help people. I had the chance to help him by bringing him and his wife,Donna to church every for the past couple of years. I did this because they were always there for my family. He will be missed but we are here for his wife,Donna and his family. May God be with each of them and my family will always be there for them.
Sharon Jones,Steve Vail,Hank and Doris Phillips
(Phoenix,AZ)
joe coates
December 30, 2015
If any one man on this planet could wear the large number of hats that our LORD does make available for Christians, Wes Darby could wear all of them at one time or another. I spent uncounted hours (in the early am on Sunday morning after ASU football broadcasts ) chatting with Wes about future events as described in the book of the Revelation.
December 20, 2015
Ruth Lamb Smith
December 20, 2015
I have special memories of the cousin I knew as Corky. He and Donna raised a great family who were blessed to have him this long.
Pat
December 19, 2015
May the love and support of family and friends (Proverbs 17:17) comfort and strengthen you.
Karen Sullivan
December 18, 2015
Pastor Daddy Darby--what a great man. I was in his church from the time I was 10 until I got married at 18. I was blessed to be able to see him many times after that and to be at his retirement celebration. He baptized me when I was ten and performed our wedding ceremony when Ed and I got married. Over 40 years later he came to the hospital to visit when my husband had surgery. When I was a teenager he stood up for me when others criticized me. He taught me so much. I loved him deeply as I still love Donna and their daughters. He kept all of us in his heart from the time he first met us. We will miss him terribly, but I can only imagine the joy he's feeling right now with Jesus.
Anna Tackett
December 18, 2015
What can anyone say that would be adequate. I was a newly widowed Mom with 3 little ones under the age of 5. I called West High Baptist Church and spoke to Pastor Darby. He said come to Church on Sunday...I spent the next 20 years there. I was part time secretary for several years and can say that I learned a lot from Pastor and Donna. They were a great team. My heart goes out to Donna. Pastor Darby had more energy than 10 men...I know many people are laughing right now because they worked alongside him in ministry or just working around the Church. See you in Heaven one day, Pastor. Anna Tackett, Sun City, AZ
Jennifer Prairie Lovett
December 17, 2015
I once heard, that since Pastor Darby was very well known all over the state. He was very active in so many things that he felt where important, When you told people he was your pastor it was said-you didnt know it you needed to put out your hand to shake it, or duck.
I loved that he was so approachable, you could always talk to him. Even as a child he never made me feel silly for asking something. Then as an adult, I found it was still so easy to confide in him.
December 17, 2015
Wesley Darby had a great impact on my life, as I worked under him as the church secretary. He was my kind of pastor, a real man who did not shy away from issues others feared to address. He made a positive impact on many lives, and Phoenix in general. He was a great Christian brother who shall be sorely missed until the roll is called up yonder. David McElroy (Alamogordo, New Mexico)
Alwyn Goodall
December 17, 2015
I'm sure I could not say anything about Wes that hasn't already been said. I met him in January 1962 and he's been a great friend ever since. I was at West High church part of the time I was at Southwestern College. He married my wife Judy and me in 1966 (Judy went to heaven in 2003) and helped us in many ways. In the late 60s as I tried to pastor a small church in Utah, I had no idea what I was doing, and Wes was a great help to me. Over the years I have considered him to be one of the great Christian men I have known. Wes Darby, Claude Moffitt and Leroy Thomas have been probably the three most influential men in my Christian life. I'm very sad to see him leave us, but yet rejoicing because he is with the Lord.
Alwyn Goodall, in Fredonia, AZ
Janelle Chitwood
December 17, 2015
I am one of many blood related grandchildren of Pastor Grandpa Darby, but I have acquired and accumulated many non-blood cousins thanks to the big heart of this man. I have several friends that I refer to as cousins because we are close enough as adults that we might as well have been blood growing up together. What a great community of the Lord this man, my Grandpa, helped to create and plant seeds in. I will miss you, Grampa, and thank you!
December 17, 2015
Jim Rutledge
December 17, 2015
Pastor Darby, was truly a man of God. I have a lot of fond memories of him. The biggest heart anyone could have, belonged to him.pastor Darby had given me a ride one time.That ride in his little white car, can't remember the model, but I do remember thinking was I going to make it.My friend Floyd White, aka Chief was in the front seat, hanging on for dear life. The last time I saw Pastor Darby, he looked good and he much appreciated the yard work I did for him. I told him to call me whenever he needed his yard mowed.The Lord blessed all of us Thur Pastor Darby's love for us. We are going miss his kind and generous ways. Jim and Betty Rutledge
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7924 North 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301
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