Darrell Keith Falen, 82, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully at his home on October 6, 2015, after a struggle with cancer.
Darrell was born September 5, 1933, in Stafford, Kansas, the son of Raymond Falen and Mary Fern (Salmon) Falen. He attended school in Stafford, and after receiving a music scholarship he graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas in 1955. While at Southwestern he lettered in both football and basketball. Upon graduation Darrell joined the United States Navy, attending Officer Candidate School, and became a Naval Aviator. He served in active duty for four years, and in the Navy Reserve for six years. He married Carol Ann Detter of Winfield, Kansas on June 23, 1956.
Following active Navy service, Darrell taught math at Central Junior High School in Lawrence in 1959. In 1960 he continued teaching at West Junior High School and was the head basketball coach and a football assistant for four years. In 1964 he moved to Lawrence High School, where he was an assistant in both sports. He was the Lions' head basketball coach from 1968-1973. In 1974 he was named Lawrence's director of athletics business affairs under AD Al Woolard, and in '77 became Athletic Director. Under Darrell's directorship, the Lions started a full-scale girls ' athletics program, as well as boys' sports of soccer and baseball. During that time LHS won 52 state championships. In addition to teaching and his contributions to Lawrence High athletics, Darrell spent years in administration and was a division principal at the time of his retirement.
Darrell's retirement years were full of travel with Carol, time spent with family and friends, playing golf, and watching lots of sports on TV.
Survived by his wife, son, daughter in law, daughter, son in law and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Doris Falen.
Darrell was born September 5, 1933, in Stafford, Kansas, the son of Raymond Falen and Mary Fern (Salmon) Falen. He attended school in Stafford, and after receiving a music scholarship he graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas in 1955. While at Southwestern he lettered in both football and basketball. Upon graduation Darrell joined the United States Navy, attending Officer Candidate School, and became a Naval Aviator. He served in active duty for four years, and in the Navy Reserve for six years. He married Carol Ann Detter of Winfield, Kansas on June 23, 1956.
Following active Navy service, Darrell taught math at Central Junior High School in Lawrence in 1959. In 1960 he continued teaching at West Junior High School and was the head basketball coach and a football assistant for four years. In 1964 he moved to Lawrence High School, where he was an assistant in both sports. He was the Lions' head basketball coach from 1968-1973. In 1974 he was named Lawrence's director of athletics business affairs under AD Al Woolard, and in '77 became Athletic Director. Under Darrell's directorship, the Lions started a full-scale girls ' athletics program, as well as boys' sports of soccer and baseball. During that time LHS won 52 state championships. In addition to teaching and his contributions to Lawrence High athletics, Darrell spent years in administration and was a division principal at the time of his retirement.
Darrell's retirement years were full of travel with Carol, time spent with family and friends, playing golf, and watching lots of sports on TV.
Survived by his wife, son, daughter in law, daughter, son in law and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Doris Falen.
Darrell Keith Falen, 82, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully at his home on October 6, 2015, after a struggle with cancer.
Darrell was born September 5, 1933, in Stafford, Kansas, the son of Raymond Falen and Mary Fern (Salmon) Falen. He attended school in Stafford, and after receiving a music scholarship he graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas in 1955. While at Southwestern he lettered in both football and basketball. Upon graduation Darrell joined the United States Navy, attending Officer Candidate School, and became a Naval Aviator. He served in active duty for four years, and in the Navy Reserve for six years. He married Carol Ann Detter of Winfield, Kansas on June 23, 1956.
Following active Navy service, Darrell taught math at Central Junior High School in Lawrence in 1959. In 1960 he continued teaching at West Junior High School and was the head basketball coach and a football assistant for four years. In 1964 he moved to Lawrence High School, where he was an assistant in both sports. He was the Lions' head basketball coach from 1968-1973. In 1974 he was named Lawrence's director of athletics business affairs under AD Al Woolard, and in '77 became Athletic Director. Under Darrell's directorship, the Lions started a full-scale girls ' athletics program, as well as boys' sports of soccer and baseball. During that time LHS won 52 state championships. In addition to teaching and his contributions to Lawrence High athletics, Darrell spent years in administration and was a division principal at the time of his retirement.
Darrell's retirement years were full of travel with Carol, time spent with family and friends, playing golf, and watching lots of sports on TV.
Survived by his wife, son, daughter in law, daughter, son in law and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Doris Falen.
Darrell was born September 5, 1933, in Stafford, Kansas, the son of Raymond Falen and Mary Fern (Salmon) Falen. He attended school in Stafford, and after receiving a music scholarship he graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas in 1955. While at Southwestern he lettered in both football and basketball. Upon graduation Darrell joined the United States Navy, attending Officer Candidate School, and became a Naval Aviator. He served in active duty for four years, and in the Navy Reserve for six years. He married Carol Ann Detter of Winfield, Kansas on June 23, 1956.
Following active Navy service, Darrell taught math at Central Junior High School in Lawrence in 1959. In 1960 he continued teaching at West Junior High School and was the head basketball coach and a football assistant for four years. In 1964 he moved to Lawrence High School, where he was an assistant in both sports. He was the Lions' head basketball coach from 1968-1973. In 1974 he was named Lawrence's director of athletics business affairs under AD Al Woolard, and in '77 became Athletic Director. Under Darrell's directorship, the Lions started a full-scale girls ' athletics program, as well as boys' sports of soccer and baseball. During that time LHS won 52 state championships. In addition to teaching and his contributions to Lawrence High athletics, Darrell spent years in administration and was a division principal at the time of his retirement.
Darrell's retirement years were full of travel with Carol, time spent with family and friends, playing golf, and watching lots of sports on TV.
Survived by his wife, son, daughter in law, daughter, son in law and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Doris Falen.
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