Darrel Wayne Dionne

Darrel Wayne Dionne, 67, passed away from multiple health issues at his home on February 18th, 2022. Darrel was the first born of 3 children born to Lavada and Edward Dionne. Darrel was born in San Jose, California. He had a younger sister, Brenda Dionne of Paden Oklahoma and a younger brother David Dionne of Miami Township, Ohio. Darrel and his family moved to Paden Oklahoma when he was 10 years old. Darrel attended and graduated from Paden Schools. He was active in FFA and raised chickens and pigs during that time. Darrel had difficulty learning to read, but once he caught on—he excelled. The rest of his life he was reading multiple books at one time. Darrel had a great interest in music and history. He adored the Beatles and continued to declare they were the Greatest Band Ever! Darrel grew to have an encyclopedic knowledge of music. Darrel read extensively about history as well. He had a special interest regarding wars that happened throughout the world. Darrel had a big heart for injustice and human rights. This heart would lead towards his volunteering to help start Norman’s first homeless shelter.

Darrel attended Seminole State Junior College for two years after graduating high school. Darrel stated he initially was interested in History but one of his professors encouraged him to become a social worker. Darrel then attended East Central University in Ada, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology. While attending East Central, Darrel met and married Mary Jane in 1977. Mary Jane died suddenly in 1994. They had a son, Scott Dionne, 51. One of Darrel’s fondest memories was making pancakes for Scott and their watching Batman together. After Darrel graduated from ECU, he later went on to attend the Masters of Social Work program at the University of Oklahoma. He graduated from that program in 1988. Soon thereafter, he became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with an emphasis in Mental Health.

Darrel worked at several agencies in his lifetime. After he got his bachelors degree at ECU, he moved to McAlester and worked at “Big Mac.” He was previously employed at the Norman Alcohol Drug Treatment Center, Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center, Crossroads Youth and Family Center, North Care, and Red Rock Behavioral Health. Darrel retired from fulltime employment at Red Rock in 2020, but continued to supervise LCSW candidates through the middle of 2021. Darrel was an excellent diagnostician. He was often consulted for his opinion. While working at Red Rock, he completed competency evaluations for individuals who were charged in Oklahoma and Cleveland County Courts.

Darrel had a strong faith in God and knowledge of many different religions. Darrel taught Sunday School/Bible Classes for over 20 years. He also loved to write poetry and had started submitting his poems to journals. A few have been published. He has won poetry contests at the Norman Public Library. He was picked to present one of his poems at the Woody Guthrie Festival.

Darrel and Joy Tomek were married on May 18, 2006. They loved to travel, attend music festivals, and concerts. They were annual attendees of the Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma which is held each year in the second week of July.

Survivors include: Joy, of the home, Son, Scott Dionne of Shawnee Oklahoma, Stepson Zachary (Allison) Tomek of Edmond, Oklahoma, Sister, Brenda Dionne of Paden, Oklahoma, brother David(Susie) Dionne of Miami Township, Ohio, and lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends throughout the United States.

A celebration of life service will take place in two separate venues in order to accommodate schedules. The first one will be at Lighthouse Holiness, 352609 E Highway 62, Prague, Oklahoma on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. The second one will be at Cross Pointe Church, Norman Oklahoma on Saturday, February 26th at 11 am.

Darrel’s ashes will be buried at a later date at Oakdale Cemetery in Paden Oklahoma.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.primrosefuneralservice.com for the Dionne family.