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Darrell Zettler
1952 - 2025
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Darrell Zettler Obituary
Darrell Zettler
Dec 19, 1952 - Aug 25, 2025
Darrell Dwayne Zettler, 72, of Waco, Texas passed away peacefully on Monday, August 25, 2025, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 3rd at Pecan Grove Funeral Home with Pastor John Durham officiating. The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, September 2nd from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Darrell was born on December 19, 1952, in Waco, Texas to Edwin and Phyllis (Clark) Zettler. Darrell grew up in Waco and enjoyed playing little league baseball. He was proud to be a four-time city champion under the coaching of his father. He loved going on hunting trips with family and spending time outdoors. Darrell graduated from Richfield High School in 1971 and continued his education at Texas A&M University where he earned his degree in Building Construction. He extended his college stay by one semester just so he could buy cheaper football tickets, Gig 'em! One of his favorite memories at Texas A&M was helping build the infamous Aggie Bonfire. He graduated in 1975 as a first-generation college graduate and started his life-long career of plumbing. He became a master plumber, following in his father's footsteps. Darrell proudly started and operated his own business, Empire Plumbing. Based in Waco, he served Central Texas for over three decades. He was passionate about taking great care of his customers, so much so that he was still taking their calls while in the hospital!
Darrell loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, farming, and fishing for trout on the White River in Arkansas with his best friend Kenneth Kleckley. He loved watching Aggie football and Rangers baseball in his favorite recliner. He was also known to eat Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream late at night while watching the Discovery or History channel. Darrell was a talented handy man, and he loved finding solutions to problems. There isn't a single thing he couldn't fix with his hands!
Darrell met his wonderful wife Kim in Waco while on a service call at Sandstone Apartments, where she worked. On their first date, he did in fact take her to the farm to feed cows! Darrell married Kim on August 26, 1990. They shared a deep love of faith, family, and nature together. They would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary the day after he passed.
Darrell was a devoted father to his children. He enjoyed taking them fishing, hunting, looking for arrowheads, and especially loved taking them to Port Aransas during the summers. He never missed a dance recital, concert, sporting event, choir performance, or academic banquet. He shared his love of learning and passion for knowledge with both of his kids by taking them to museums, aquariums, and teaching them about the outdoors. As a dad, there was nothing he couldn't do.
Being involved in church his whole life, Darrell enjoyed studying the bible, teaching Sunday school, and listening to sermons. He attended Highland Baptist Church for the past twenty years. We know he is finally with Jesus and reunited with so many loved ones, including his mom whom he has been waiting to see for 59 years.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Christian Zettler and Phyllis Jean (Clark) Zettler; aunts, Birdis Gustafson, Gertrude Barkley, Leona Koerth, Dora Nichols and husband Roy Lee Nichols.
Darrell is survived by his wife, Kimberly Zettler; children, David Zettler and wife Kayla, Sarah (Zettler) Sheehy and husband Jeremy. He is also survived by his brother Lamar Zettler and wife Donna of Lorena; nieces, Lindsey Geddie, Lauren Moorhead, Kaitlyn Ward; cousins, Melinda Moss and husband Taylor, Jack Nichols and wife Tamra; second-cousins, Stephanie Barrera and husband Kevin, Tiffany Hogg and husband Kyle, and Michael Nichols. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Kleckley, Bruce Lisenby, Jeremy Sheehy, Jack Nichols, Taylor Moss, Michael Nichols, Kevin Barrera, and Kyle Hogg.
The family wishes to express a special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest for their loving care and support at the end of his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Darrell's memory to St. Jude’s or Samaritan's Purse.
Online guestbook www.pecangrovefuneral.com
Dec 19, 1952 - Aug 25, 2025
Darrell Dwayne Zettler, 72, of Waco, Texas passed away peacefully on Monday, August 25, 2025, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 3rd at Pecan Grove Funeral Home with Pastor John Durham officiating. The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, September 2nd from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Darrell was born on December 19, 1952, in Waco, Texas to Edwin and Phyllis (Clark) Zettler. Darrell grew up in Waco and enjoyed playing little league baseball. He was proud to be a four-time city champion under the coaching of his father. He loved going on hunting trips with family and spending time outdoors. Darrell graduated from Richfield High School in 1971 and continued his education at Texas A&M University where he earned his degree in Building Construction. He extended his college stay by one semester just so he could buy cheaper football tickets, Gig 'em! One of his favorite memories at Texas A&M was helping build the infamous Aggie Bonfire. He graduated in 1975 as a first-generation college graduate and started his life-long career of plumbing. He became a master plumber, following in his father's footsteps. Darrell proudly started and operated his own business, Empire Plumbing. Based in Waco, he served Central Texas for over three decades. He was passionate about taking great care of his customers, so much so that he was still taking their calls while in the hospital!
Darrell loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, farming, and fishing for trout on the White River in Arkansas with his best friend Kenneth Kleckley. He loved watching Aggie football and Rangers baseball in his favorite recliner. He was also known to eat Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream late at night while watching the Discovery or History channel. Darrell was a talented handy man, and he loved finding solutions to problems. There isn't a single thing he couldn't fix with his hands!
Darrell met his wonderful wife Kim in Waco while on a service call at Sandstone Apartments, where she worked. On their first date, he did in fact take her to the farm to feed cows! Darrell married Kim on August 26, 1990. They shared a deep love of faith, family, and nature together. They would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary the day after he passed.
Darrell was a devoted father to his children. He enjoyed taking them fishing, hunting, looking for arrowheads, and especially loved taking them to Port Aransas during the summers. He never missed a dance recital, concert, sporting event, choir performance, or academic banquet. He shared his love of learning and passion for knowledge with both of his kids by taking them to museums, aquariums, and teaching them about the outdoors. As a dad, there was nothing he couldn't do.
Being involved in church his whole life, Darrell enjoyed studying the bible, teaching Sunday school, and listening to sermons. He attended Highland Baptist Church for the past twenty years. We know he is finally with Jesus and reunited with so many loved ones, including his mom whom he has been waiting to see for 59 years.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Christian Zettler and Phyllis Jean (Clark) Zettler; aunts, Birdis Gustafson, Gertrude Barkley, Leona Koerth, Dora Nichols and husband Roy Lee Nichols.
Darrell is survived by his wife, Kimberly Zettler; children, David Zettler and wife Kayla, Sarah (Zettler) Sheehy and husband Jeremy. He is also survived by his brother Lamar Zettler and wife Donna of Lorena; nieces, Lindsey Geddie, Lauren Moorhead, Kaitlyn Ward; cousins, Melinda Moss and husband Taylor, Jack Nichols and wife Tamra; second-cousins, Stephanie Barrera and husband Kevin, Tiffany Hogg and husband Kyle, and Michael Nichols. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Kleckley, Bruce Lisenby, Jeremy Sheehy, Jack Nichols, Taylor Moss, Michael Nichols, Kevin Barrera, and Kyle Hogg.
The family wishes to express a special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest for their loving care and support at the end of his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Darrell's memory to St. Jude’s or Samaritan's Purse.
Online guestbook www.pecangrovefuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Waco Tribune-Herald on Aug. 30, 2025.
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