Darrel Duane Brack

Darrel D. Brack, 91, passed away on October 10, 2024. Darrel was the remaining son of Karl and Mildred Brack of Leoti, Kansas. His parents preceded him in death at the ages of 89 and 95, respectively. His two sisters, Patsy J. Josephson and Marilyn S. Mahan, also preceded him in death. Darrel was born in the basement of their small home that was in various stages of construction in Leoti, Kansas on April 17, 1933. Darrel is survived by his wife, Carolyn and his three children, Kurt, Julie and Lisa. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Justin Warren, Ethan Warren, Joshua Mestemacher, Emma Mestemacher, and Jack Mestemacher.

Darrel attended elementary and secondary schools in Leoti, Kansas. After high school graduation, Darrel attended Dodge City Community College followed by Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Darrel graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He immediately went to work for the Missouri Highway Department. His employment was interrupted approximately 6 months later as he received his notice to report for active duty in the U.S. Army. His draft board gave him permission to attend college after high school with the condition that after graduation he would make himself available for his required two year service in the military. Darrel served his first year as a company clerk at Ft. Bliss, Texas and the second year at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Darrel returned from the Army in August 1958 to the Missouri Highway Department. He continued working there for three more years and progressed up the ladder of employment. His observation was this was a long road ahead as there was not too many other institutions of employment at this time. Through some friends he found employment in August 1961 with Clarkson Construction Company. The owner of the private company was also a Kansas State University graduate and several of the graduate engineers in the company were also graduates from K-State. Darrel would spend the next 40 years working for Clarkson Construction Company. Clarkson Construction Company was a large road building contractor in the Kansas City, Missouri area. Their area of specialty involved highway construction projects, earthwork dams, airports and other utility projects in the states of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Alabama and large commercial building sites in the Kansas City, Missouri metropolitan area. He obtained his Registered Engineer License for Kansas and for Missouri during the first five years of employment with Clarkson. He was also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He was a cost analyst for the company during the bidding process and during the actual construction phase. Some projects would last for several years and others for a shorter duration, depending on the complexity and size of the project.

Darrel retired from Clarkson Construction Company in 2001. He and his wife, Carolyn, then moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona to get away from the snow shoveling during the Winter and the high humidity during the Summer.

Darrel was a life-long fan of the Kansas City Royals and could be found most evenings in a seat at Kaufman stadium or in later years, in front of his television, cheering on the Royals. Darrel was an avid reader and loved to curl up with the latest James Patterson novel.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation or gift to the First Presbyterian Church of Leoti, Kansas. No services or memorials are requested for Darrel.