IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.

Darren Frazier

A celebration of life for former Eastmoor United Methodist Church pastor Darren Lynn Frazier, 63, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at Eastmoor. Live streaming will be available. His final resting place will be at McPherson Cemetery.

Darren peacefully passed into his eternal home Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, after a courageous fight with Parkinson’s disease and short battle with cancer.

He was born Oct. 6, 1961, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the third son of Lynnetta June (Berry) and Donald Flemmins Frazier I.

He graduated from McPherson High School in 1979, was a graduate of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, and continued his education in emergency management at Frederick Community College in Frederick, Maryland.

He pursued his religious education at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Kansas, and completed the course of study of the United Methodist Church in 2021.

On July 12, 1980, Darren was united in marriage to Valerie Ann Spencer at First United Methodist Church in McPherson. This union was blessed with two daughters, Erin Deann and Kimberly Faye.

Darren was senior pastor for Eastmoor from July, 2018, through June, 2024, when he and Val moved to Columbia, Missouri.

Before that, he was associate pastor for two years and youth pastor for eight years at First United Methodist Church, McPherson.

From 2008 to 2016, he worked for McPherson County as director of emergency management 911 communications.

His law enforcement career began in 1983. For 25 years, he was with the McPherson County sheriff’s department, retiring as a deputy/detective.

Darren was a member of the United Methodist Great Plains Conference. He formerly was a member of the Kansas Sheriff’s Association as well as the Kansas Narcotics Officers Association.

His favorite pastime was playing an online game called State of Survival. He will be missed by his online community.

Survivors include his loving wife of 44 years, Valerie; daughters Erin Patrick (and husband Dale) of Moundridge and Kimberly Linn (and husband Jacob) of Columbia, Missouri; and grandchildren Addysen Patrick, Ashtyn Patrick, Jaxyn Patrick, Jensyn Patrick, Jase Linn, Riley Linn, and Avery Linn.

Also surviving are siblings David Frazier, Darina “Sam” Schulz (and husband Don), and Derek Frazier, all of McPherson, and Danielle Young (and husband Dustin) of Marquette; brothers-in-law Carlton Spencer (and Madonna Dobbins) of Lindsborg and Craig Spencer (and wife Debra); sister-in-law Cindy Pressnall (and husband Doug) of McPherson; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by parents Donald and Lynnetta Frazier, brother Donald F. Frazier II, parents-in-law Melvin and Marianne Spencer, and sister-in-law Marilyn Spencer.

Memorial donations are suggested to Ridgeway Elementary Parent Teacher Student Association of Columbia, Missouri, or Moundridge USD 423 athletics so the school communities of Darren’s grandchildren may continue to thrive.

Donations may be sent in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N Chestnut St, McPherson KS 67460.

Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.