Darrell Barton Deter

Darrell B. Deter March 23, 1933 – December 26, 2024
Darrell Barton Deter was born the last surviving member of the Patrick family whose history in Butte County began in 1849 and also a descendant of the Deter family whose roots in Glenn, Colusa, and Butte County are equally long. He loved hearing and could recall in detail stories of multiple cross-county wagon-train trips to and from California. Those stories of hardships suffered en route- including the loss and burial of one daughter; of achievement – successfully driving 150 head of cattle from Arkansas to California without loss of life either human or animal; and of proud pleasure – sharing a long sea voyage with General Bidwell and his brand-new bride on their honeymoon trip to Annie's new home. Such stories as these and fond memories of playing and visiting at the old Patrick house (located just south of the cemetery on the Midway) and at the Compton House (now called the Patrick Ranch) fostered in Darrell, a devotion to participating in the preservation and restoration of both historic homes especially the 1852 Patrick house which is now the oldest standing frame house between Sacramento and the Oregon Border.
Chico Heritage Association and the friends he made working there provided another an outlet for Darrell's devotion to Chico's history and his family's role in its development. A Civil War era re-inacters group called the Pistoleros provided him a delightful opportunity to re-create, however briefly, the mystique of the gold rush days in Butte County. At six feet seven inches tall and dressed hat to boots in full wide-west -sheriff's-regalia, he cut quite a figure as the re-enacting posse once again captured the oh-so-elusive Black Bart to the delight of the cheering history fans.
At eight years old when the attack on Pearl Harbor finally drew the United States into World War II, Darrell, like most boys, became fascinated by all things military. Chico's own air base sparked special interest in airplanes, and Darrell soon learned to recognize military planes, both U.S. and foreign, by their silhouette shapes which had been widely published throughout the west coast to help citizens identify enemy planes and sound alarms if Japanese attack seemed imminent. His boyhood fascination with planes, war, soldiers, and armaments marked the beginning of what grew into a life-long study of military history and a reverence for all the veterans who have ever served our country. After his own army service in Korea, he too proudly entered the ranks of the America's heroes.
Cars – both shiny new or antique, boats – sleek and high-powered or slower with tall sails, and bikes of all kinds delighted Darrell. He owned plenty of all three throughout his lifetime and enjoyed sharing them with friends and entertaining children.
A biology major at chico state from which he graduated in 1960, Darrell nevertheless spent his working career loyally working as a draftsman/estimator at his brother's business, Detco Steel. His fascination with nature, however, never ended. He loved being outdoors with his furry friends.
Darrell was predeceased by his parents Melissa Patrick and Claude Deter, his brother, Don Deter, and his stepson, David Estep.
Darrell leaves behind his wife of forty-one years, Nancy; his step-daughter, Carla Freestep; his nephews David and Jeff Deter; his sister-in-law Natalie Cooke, and a host of friends and "adopted doty family members" who will always treasure their memories of his loyalty, of his willingness to help with any project, and of his patience, especially with the mischief of little boys on camping trips.
Both Family and friends will miss him sorely. Special thanks for loving care go to Enloe Hospice care and caregiver Janelle.
Donations in his memory may be made to Butte Humane Society or Chico Heritage Association.
Graveside services will be held at Glen Oaks Memorial Park on January 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM