Darry Lee Pilkington

Darry was born on December 26, 1937, to Llyod and Ora Belle Pilkington of Bessemer, Alabama. He grew up in the Greenwood community and attended Bessemer High School. It was during this time, he developed his love for music while performing with the high school band, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, and late-night gigs with his dance band.

Following high school, while working and going to school, he graduated from Jacksonville State University with an MS in Music Education. He was proud to be part of the JSU Marching Southerners and a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity. He later helped form the Retired Southerners Alumni, and loved returning to JSU to see old classmates, past students, and give advice to the “young guys.”

Known to most as “Daddy P” or “Mr. P”, he had a successful career directing bands throughout Georgia and Alabama for over 43 years. He led the high school band programs at Trion, Dalton, Coosa, Newnan, Emma Sansom, and retired from Hoover. These programs represented their communities throughout the Southeast, Canada, and Bahamas, playing at Lyndon Johnson’ inauguration, Carnegie Hall’s 100 Year Centennial Celebration, countless parades, and serving as ambassadors for the United States. Under his leadership, these bands won numerous contests and awards, including the honor of New Orleans Greatest Band in Dixie five times. There is no question, with each school and band throughout his career, there were honors, accolades, and awards. However, “Mr. P” would be the first to tell you the achievement he was most proud of was being a part of developing his students’ love for music and watching them succeed.

Darry’s passion was not just for the music, he always enjoyed a good competition and developing a show to leave his audience awe struck. He was known for being tough with an unmatched standard of excellence. He started numerous marching contests, many of which are still held today. He served in many ways as a subject matter expert in the band community, hosting clinic, mentoring directors and even serving on the original advisory board responsible for establishing the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. In his “free time” during these years, he enjoyed writing arrangements, judging marching contests, and serving as a church musician.

After retiring, Darry found time for his other hobbies. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on the Alabama Crimson Tide. As an avid reader, he always had a good book nearby. His dedication to his bands was second only to his love for his family. He was a loving husband and devoted father. During his retirement years, he took on a rare role for him as a spectator, always there supporting his children and grandchildren with their hobbies. His competitive nature never faded, and you could count on him to be the loudest fan there. There are no words that truly describe the presence he brought to a room. He was a friend to all, a stranger to none, and always ready with a story to tell. His legacy lives on through the countless people he loved, students he impacted, and no doubt the music he brought to their lives.

Darry was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Ora Belle Pilkington, and siblings, Alex Pilkington and Janet Merril. Left to cherish his memory is his devoted wife, Weslyn; brother, Donnie Pilkington (Jeannine); and his children Stuart Pilkington, Tisa Stripling (Frank), Dana Woodford (Jim), Courtney Jones (Brandon) and Ashley Powers (Daniel), his 11 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and many family members and musicians who love him and will miss him dearly.

A visitation for Darry will be held Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 11:30am to 1:00am at Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, Alabama 35124, followed by a celebration of life at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or to the Jacksonville State University’s Marching Southerners.