It's been a whole year without you Dad. I miss you so much and wish I could still talk to you. Just know that we are all doing good and we all miss you so very much! I love you Dad! ❤️

Very shocked to hear the (late) news that Daryl passed away in December. I know him for few years and he's a nice, accommodating and friendly person. Though my interactions with him are mostly around tennis, i'll miss him. 

The first time Darryl came to string my racket, I wasn't home and felt terrible to have miscommunicated and wasted his time.  He was so gracious, and didn't make a comment or make me feel bad at all about the mixup.  I appreciated that so much and think about that often, how he carried himself in that circumstance, as showing grace like that is rare today.  I didn't know him well, but from that grace filled interaction I could sense he had a big heart filled with love to share with people 🙏

Darryl was such a great person. We used to play tennis regularly for a few years before he had hip problems. He had a good serve and great forehand supported by a great personality. He enjoyed coaching the high school team and we often talked about that and his several trips to NC. He was also very generous. I was late in finding out about his passing and I’m still in disbelief. Bless you my friend, and keep destroying them with your forehand in heaven.  

I’ve been thinking about so many things these last couple days and I need to share them with you to put them out in the universe for all to know. Darryl, or Boopsie as I called him, made me so incredibly happy. He was silly and I wasn’t but he always told me that I needed that from him and he was right. All we wanted to do was be together in our home. He would come in the door and yell “Honeybear!” and I would yell “Boopsie!”. I would always say to him “Do you know how much I love you?” and he would say “This much?” and open his thumb and index finger an inch and I would say “No, this much” and open it only an inch more and then we would laugh. He would say “I’m the luckiest person to be with you” and I would say “Yes, you are!” and we would laugh. Darryl took care of so many people. As his mom’s health declined, he would cook for her. He loved my parents. My mom would have him play cards with the ladies of their condo and they always wanted to be his partner.  He would call my mom and say “Peggy, I’m bringing over two containers of baked ziti” and she would say “No Darryl, that’s too much” and then later she would call him and say she ate both containers! He would take my dad Dunkin coffee and an apple fritter, and I would yell that he didn’t need it and he would say “Marcy, the man is almost 94. Let him have an apple fritter!” Taking care of people made him happy and he felt a true responsibility to do this. Tennis made him the happiest. He took care to connect players when he was already scheduled to play or ensuring that this person would be a good match to play that person. He loved joking on the court with other players. He was so proud of creating his company, Columbia Tennis Stringing & Accessories, and I know that his customers and friends knew how important it was to him to give good customer service. Thank you to so many that have reached out to me. The tears that we shared and your words of how wonderful he was mean so much. It will sustain me forever.

Our daughter, Laura, was fortunate to have Darryl as a coach her last few seasons at GCS.  Darryl was a talented and knowledgeable coach, but more important, he was caring, patient, and kind.  Darryl played an important role in helping Laura play tennis at the next level.  Sharing his lifelong love of the the sport with all his players was a wonderful gift. Our sincere condolences to the family.   

~Bridget & Jon Littlefield 

Marcy - sorry to hear of your loss. All the best to you & family at this tough time!
> Bob Moulden (DORS 2017 retiree)

So sorry to hear this news, Darryl was referred to me by a tennis coach and I was so surprised by the level of excellence and care he put into restringing my racquet. He took the time to explain different options and I really appreciated his kind and thoughtful communication. He will be missed.

Darryl was a very friendly and helpful person! Most of my interactions with him used to be about tennis accessories. Gave me tons of great advices. He will be truly missed by the tennis community in Columbia!

Darryl’s passion and pride for his student-athletes at Glenelg Country School is unparalleled.  When I text most of the coaches “how did the game/match go,” most coaches respond with just the score. Not Darryl. With Darryl, I would get either a scrolling text message or 15 minute phone call describing how each athlete played and how happy he was with their improvements.  Win or lose his pride in his teams was contagious.  I will truly miss our post-match conversations and the passion he brought to the GCS community.  We all were lucky to have had him in our lives.  

Our deepest sympathies to everyone he left behind.  We will miss him - The Alewine Family

I am saddened to learn of the passing of Darryl. I knew Darryl from tennis. We played within the same circle at Hobbit's Glen. I was always impressed with Darryl's trademark Big Forehand, wondering, "How'd he do that?" as his ball screamed by me in a flash. More importantly, Darryl was a great guy, very helpful, friendly and nice. We had some nice talks about his visits to Myrtle Beach, and I picked his brain about SC, as I eventually moved to Charleston. He was always open to talking, and he could take a joke, as I know the Hobbit's Glen tennis friends would poke fun and laugh, knowing that Darryl was good-spirited. Darryl strung rackets for me, and helped me with stringing after I moved, sending me an old stringer and strings, and giving me advice. When my son started playing more, he used Darryl's stringing services, even though he lives in Baltimore. Darryl made it work for him, going out of his way. I will miss Darryl, a truly great man. My condolences to his family and friends.
Adam Sachs, 
Charleston, SC

I was saddened to hear about Darryl's passing. He was an amazing coach and left his mark on everyone he came in contact with. He was patient and left me with a love for tennis that I will carry forever. He always said that tennis was a forever sport that you could stop playing but suddenly start playing again years later. I will always remember his tips and tricks and those first lessons he gave me. I will be miss him greatly.

Darryl worked with the Towson University-Baltimore County Public Schools Model United Nations program for many years while he was a teacher at Towson High. He was very committed to getting his students as many learning opportunities as possible, and he especially wanted them to learn more about global issues and how these issues impacted students' lives here. He was a good teacher and kind colleague. My condolences to his family.  

Dear Marcy,
I will miss our talks about tennis: tennis strings and string tensions, tennis racquets, tennis grips, and playing tennis.  We always had a good time whenever we got together.  Darryl was one of the good guys, loved his work and his friends.  He treated everyone and every racquet with great care.  He was someone I could spend hours on the phone and we loved being the ultimate testers.  I will sorely miss my friend and our talks.   My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Your perfection and passion for tennis will be an inspiration for tennis players of Maryland and beyond.  You were a true gem in the community.  Always willing to help others, I have not come across anyone with such a warm heart. You will be greatly missed.

Dear Marcy, Glen, Linda, Tammy, Jeff, and the entire Smith family and relatives.  It is with deep sorrow that I write this and am forever grateful for the 13 years that Darryl  and I were together and had two wonderful children, Courtney and Patrick.   We had many wonderful memories while he was in the Air Force as we had the opportunity to travel to Biloxi, Mississippi; Rome, New York,; Utah and Ohio.  After he retired from the Air Force we made our home in Maryland.  He was a wonderful Chef (that I cannot even hold a candle to his exquisite talent) and a wonderful Father!  

Please know that you all are in my prayers.  With my utmost sympathy, MaryJo (Smith) Sidebottom.

Dad,

There are no words on how much I love you. You were the best father anyone could ever hope for. I feel lost without you but I will continue to make you proud of me. I wish we had more time. I love you so much Dad. Patrick and Leah love you too so much. 

Your Loving Daughter,
Courtney

Shocked and deeply grieved on hearing that Darryl had suddenly passed away. He will be remembered as a  friendly and caring friend.  I only knew Darryl through his tennis racquet and stringing business but yet because of his charisma and interest in making the customer happy, I considered him my friend.  He will be greatly missed here on earth, but I can picture him playing great tennis up there with the very best!   My condolences to Darryl's wife, children and family.  May he rest in Peace.

I can't begin to tell you how much Darryl loved coaching all his girl's tennis teams. He would come home and share all the funny stories and tell me what each girl was working on to improve her tennis. The posts from the girls mean so much to me. He was so proud of all of you. Marcy

Darryl, Rachel (his favorite niece), and Leah (his granddaughter) at Hershey Park

Darryl was an amazing coach but an even better person. I was lucky enough to have him teach me how to play tennis and coach me for 2 years. No matter how bad I was losing, he continued to coach me and give me strategies to improve my skills while having fun. Each and every practice I had so much fun because he knew how to make it fun. He always had a joke ready to make everyone laugh. I will always think of him and his funny (but encouraging) tips whenever I am trying to hit a ball with power. I will miss him so much but I will always be thinking of him and what he would say whenever I play.  

Over ten years ago, Darryl introduced himself to me at the Hobbits Glen courts and started asking me to play singles with him regularly. We always had a blast (even though he was a much better player)-- three and four sets every outing--and we were very proud of ourselves for once going five full sets on a hot July day.  At his urging, he and I entered a doubles tournament at Cattail a few years ago and beat all but one of the young hotshot pairs (both teaching pros)--they were shocked! We each got a prize of $75, the only money I ever made playing tennis. He was humble, compassionate, helpful, and friendly to everyone. Excellent coach that he was, Darryl always tried to bring out the best in his fellow players. I'll miss him intensely.

Coach Darryl was truly the perfect coach. It was apparent how much he cared about everyone on the team. He never failed to make us laugh and put a smile on all of our faces, even after a long day at school.  I owe my success this past season to Darryl.  I couldn't have done it without him.  He always knew what to say in between games and sets. He came up with the best strategies to win, and more importantly always helped me stay relaxed. I am so grateful that I've had such a great coach for the past 3 years. He was an amazing person, and I miss him greatly. I will always think of Darryl when I step onto the court.

Darryl was a welcomed addition to our family. He was good natured and funny but very competitive which reflected in our weekly Saturday card games. He showed his love of cooking from apple pies to holiday feasts. He loved to experiment with new recipes. He had the ability to make friends wherever he went. He was such a bright light. He was a very special person who will be sorely missed.

-Steve, Linda and Stefanie Roberts

Patrick Orwig

Already deeply missing my friend. Darryl was such a good friend to have. He possessed so many great qualities. Very passionate in the things he cared about. Obviously tennis was in his blood. Loved the game. As many of us have experienced playing against Darryl his forehand was lethal and then some. His sportsmanship was as good as it gets and his ability to convince himself there is no shot or no place on the court he couldn't hit a screaming winner from was unsurpassed. Daryl was also passionate about his family. Loved his wife, kids and his father. Talked to me about them all often. Bottom line is Darryl was a wonderful guy and as I mentioned earlier I already miss him.  

But this time Darryl, you didn’t make it all the way back. You had it in your sights, well within reach, but somehow, not meant to be. This life is fragile. The world utterly insane. On court, a daunting physical presence, you offered a safe place, a steady presence, a warm, sure metaphysical embrace . And now, in death as in life, you challenge us to provide the same to our loved ones, friends, and importantly, not only those but all others whom we may have the good fortune to meet, to share and spread the fellowship and good nature that you embody. A life well lived, if too brief, was yours. And by your touch and our intention, hopefully, such lives will be ours as well. Thank you Darryl. We will remember you always.  

But what I came to appreciate, treasure and yes, love, about you, is that you always made time to hit with me — someone way, way down from you on the proverbial tennis ladder. Our stolen Sundays at 6AM at the AC, our middays in the summer heat at Hobbits, our unscheduled golden 15-30 minutes here and there, before or after, one of your early morning scheduled hitters over the past I-don’t-know how many years. And the pleasure you brought me after your several serious rehabs these past years when you said, “Bob, I’d like you to be the one to help me when I begin on-court rehab.” And so yes, away from the glare of other players, I hand tossed and easy fed balls to you, as you began yet again the road back. I was so happy to help. 
(Continued next page)

In walking weather, during my walks with Rachel along Harpers Farm Rd, I’d hear a quick, distinctive “beep” as you passed going in one direction or the other, wanting to say “hi” but not wanting to intrude or alarm. You often asked about Rachel, how she was doing, how my pod was doing, and you turned down my repeated offers for breakfast together, begging off that you had to many pick-ups that morning, too many stringings on your plate. I know you weren’t aiming for your service to consume you. You saw your work as an essential “glue” to the tennis community and indeed it was…. and you yourself were to an even greater measure. 

(Continued next page)

Darryl, you are the hub of the Columbia and Howard County tennis community. Your kind nature, always respectful and good humored, no matter gender, color, politics, whatever. You gave me one of the few t-shirts you had made up advertising your racquet-stringing biz and I wore it proudly. In fact, I think it kind of embarrassed you when I wore it but you recovered sufficiently to say you wanted to print up more of them. You never did, you never had to, you ran your “business” with a devotion, a passion, an acumen, the likes of which I’ve never seen. Your funky yellow Jeep could be seen at 5:30 AM at the AC parking lot and rumbling thru town and country with your personal pick ups and deliveries. FedEx, UPS, Amazon - couldn’t hold a candle to you. (Continued next page)

I am just one of his many loyal customers who so much appreciated his prompt and exceptional service.  Eventually he strung most  all of my tennis friends’ rackets by word-of-mouth references which is the best compliment one can receive in business. The tennis community will miss his devotion and enthusiasm for the sport not to mention the big void in our tennis rackets.


A tennis weapon of Darryl’s, a blazing baseline cross court forehand that could shoot by you in less than a blink even when you were in perfect, deep position for a return, was not his best stroke. His serve was not, even as it exploded as if from the barrel of a long gun, and instantaneously impacted the returner’s racquet and initiated a frightening shiver coursing thru the returner’s hand, arm, full body  down to their toes. His backhand, though, could be downright dinky at times, as least by comparison and especially during his latest rehab, this time from knee surgery that set his game back by months. No, what set Darryl’s game apart, what set him apart, was the wellspring of sportsmanship and old-fashioned friendship that infused his tennis game, infused his behavior on court and off, was DNA’ed in his very lifeblood.  (Continued next page)

Darryl was Columbia tennis. It's hard to think of anyone I associate more with the Hobbit's clay or the indoor hard courts. He always seemed to be there, with a forehand that always made me feel lousy about mine. He loved the game, respected it, and was a true reflection of the dignity of the sport. In greeting me, he always asked, "How's your game?"

In his racket stringing work, he was proud of his craft, wise in its application, and generous with his time in unsurpassed customer service.

I never played him - I was too afraid of that forehand. I wish I had. The courts will feel a bit empty now. 

I did not know Darryl well, but you could not play tennis in the Columbia area and not know Darryl. He was a presence on the court, bigger than life in some ways. If I had a nickel for every time I heard him bellow: “Oh Darryl…!” as he crushed that little yellow ball just out of bounds, or into the net, I’d have retired long ago. He made me smile. He was his own biggest critic. And then he’d connect on a sizzling forehand that even the pros would envy. I shall miss seeing the yellow Jeep, for it meant that it would be a good day for tennis. We who play the game will miss you Darryl Smith: “Oh Darryl…!!!”

Marcy my heart is breaking for you. Praying for you to have peace during this difficult time.  Please know that you and Darryl’s family have my deepest condolences. 

It was devastating hearing about Coach Darryl’s passing. He was a great coach and friend to our tennis team. He listened to us complain about teachers and told corny jokes that always made us laugh. I hold onto the memories he gave us. 

I will miss my weekly calls with Darryl.  He was one of the first Diadem Premier Team stringers I signed and he was an absolutely star.  He brought joy to players like no one I have seen.  He was such a lover of tennis, string, gear. He must of gone through 20 rackets himself just testing, giving thoughts, feedback, and he was a huge part of our new racket development that he was so excited to get.  I will miss him, we all will miss him.   

God Bless,

Evan Specht
Diadem Sports

He inspired us about how we enjoy what we do and how we inspire others

To the family, 

We are so sorry for your loss. Darryl coached our son at GCS. He was such a great mentor, encourager, and teacher to all the players. He will always be remembered by the students he worked with at GCS.  

The Roberts Family

Darryl will be sorely missed. Always classy,  he was a gentleman, kind to all and a great listener.  He provided old world service with anything connected to tennis. 

It won’t be the same in tennis circles with a huge hole in our “village”. May he rest in peace and sincere prayers for him and his family. 

jack baronas 

Marcy, my heart is sad when I heard about Darryl sudden passing.
Our prayers are for you and the family. My fond memory is when Darryl was a young boy who loved being a super hero using a towel 
as a cape and jumping off the furniture.  For some reason I remember
He was given a nickname Roscoe.

Love and prayers Aunt Geri (Darryl’s Mother Janet’s sister)

Darryl and I were good friends and hitting partners for the past 15 years.  He and I were on the courts most every Saturday morning during that span.  We talked about tennis, work, friends, family, and life.  Darryl was a good man, caring  about people and passionate about life and everything that comes with it, including, of course, tennis.  It's hard to lose a loyal friend, but I'm thankful for the years we had and the sets we played together.  I'll miss my friend, as I'm sure so many others whose lives he touched will as well.  My prayers and sympathies to Marcy and Darryl's family.

My heart felt condolences to the family. I knew Darryl as he had been stringing  tennis racquets for my family. He was a perfectionist and always wanted his customers to feel satisfied. He listened  and always gave good feed back and advice. May his soul rest in peace. I will miss my chats with him.

Dear Marcy, Sending Prayers To You and Your Family

Darryl was a wonderful member of the Glenelg Country School Community. As our tennis coach for the past several years, he took a compassionate, caring approach to working with his players, always seeking to develop them not just as individuals, but as teammates and people. We will certainly miss him very much and send our heartfelt condolences to Darryl's family. 

Matt Walsh

Marcy, sending prayers of comfort and condolence to you and your family.

Janice Drakeford

You always knew Darryl was at the courts when you saw that yellow Jeep, he was a great stringer with tremendous knowledge and always had great customer service, even delivering to my door on multiple occasions. He also possessed one of the hardest forehands in the county. You will be missed my friend.

Hearing about Darryl’s passing was absolutely heartbreaking. Darryl was an amazing coach to me, but an even better person. He has had an impact on so many people. He will be missed by so many. 

OBITUARY

Darryl Glenn Smith

26 November, 1962 – 4 December, 2022

Witzke Funeral Homes Inc.

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services