Paul Bruce Darby

Paul was born in Concordia, Kansas, on June 29, 1948. He graduated from Concordia Junior/Senior High School, attended Cloud County Community Junior College in Concordia, and continued on to major in Political Science/Pre-Law at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. Paul was married to the love of his life, Cheryl Darlene Darby, on September 16, 1977; they were married for almost 43 years.

Paul worked as a local radio and television news reporter and broadcaster at KNCK Radio, Concordia; KMAN Radio, Manhattan; KTSB-TV (now KSNT), Topeka; and KTVH-TV (now KWCH), Wichita, Kansas. Later, Paul was an Associate Editor for FAR-MAR-CO; the Special Assistant to the Secretary, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Assistant to the Executive Director and President, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Washington, DC; Special Assistant to the Director, Green Thumb, Inc., Arlington, Virginia; Consultant at E.A. Jaenke and Associates, Washington, DC; Assistant Vice President, the Farm Credit Council, Washington, DC, and President, Darby Enterprises, Inc., Wichita, Kansas. Paul and Cheryl were active in creating and managing their charity, “Coats for Kids Foundation, Inc.,” in the Alexandria, Virginia—Washington, DC, area. After returning to Kansas, Paul worked with the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, the Ute Tribe of Utah, and the Blackfeet Tribe of Montana in developing meat processing and packing plants for their respective reservations.

Paul was a friend of Bill W.

One of Paul’s true loves was being Santa Claus to thousands of children (and adults) across America. He experienced tremendous joy each time he stood in for Kris Kringle.

Paul is survived by his wife, Cheryl D. Darby; daughter, Kristin Morgan of Roanoke, Texas; granddaughter Kaitlyn Watson of Wichita, Kansas; sister, Jean M. Nyberg of Beloit, Kansas; brother, David S. Darby of El Paso, Texas; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Paul was preceded in death by his father, Robert Vernon Darby, and his mother, Essie Clare Darby, both of Concordia, Kansas.

The funeral service will be held at Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 3642 N Ridge Rd, Wichita, KS 67205. The Rosary will held at 10:00 a.m. with the Funeral Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Nic Jurgensmeyer of Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to OperationWarm.org or to Catholic Charities—Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, 2825 S. Hillside, Wichita, Kansas.