Thomas Darrell Pyle

Thomas Darrell Pyle, 84, of Waverly, Kansas passed away peacefully in his sleep, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. He was born August 12, 1938, in Emporia, Kansas, the son of Thomas and Ethel (Phillips) Pyle. Darrell moved to a farm south of Waverly in 1955. He graduated from Waverly High School in 1956. He married Virginia Baxter in June 1959. They raised three sons, Brian, Kendall, and Ty on a farm northeast of Waverly. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Wanda Cornelious, his brother‐in‐law John Haraughty and his son Brian. Darrell is survived by 2 sisters, Norma Haraughty and Karen Pyle; 2 sons, Kendall (Jill) Pyle and Ty (Monica) Pyle, Sherry Corlis (wife of the late Brian Pyle); grandchildren, Cody (Brandi) Bigham, Hailey (Justin) Clancy, Kayla (Spencer) Allen, Kirsten (Aaron) Wendland, Kenzie (Aaron) Story, Tyra Pyle, Abby Pyle, Drew (Megan) Pyle, Logan Pyle; niece Shanon (Jon) Phillips, nephews, Kent Cornelious, Ryan (Anne) Haraughty and Brandon Haraughty; great‐grandchildren, great‐nephews and great‐niece. In 1956 Darrell attended Emporia State University for one day. One day was enough for him to know he didn't need acollege degree to have a life filled with love and memories. Years on the farm meant many chores. Raising crops, feeding sheep, hogs, and cattle were everyday activities. Farming, ranching, and parenting can be dangerous occupations. On one specific occasion, farm life called for him to throw his body into a pit of animal waste to rescue Ty who had fallen in. Darrell himself needed rescued from a tractor repair gone wrong. So many people from all over the Waverly area worked together to split that tractor in half in order to free Darrell's arm. For some jobs, he could just tell his boys what to do and what not to do. Other jobs he led by example. On a quest to "show 'em how it's done" he took a long run at a bicycle ramp the boys had constructed. His elbow was never the same. While bicycle ramps and tractor entrapment caused Darrell a bruised pride and minor injuries, it was a bale spear that introduced him to the world of dental implants. Family vacation road trips frequently included stopping at random houses that had horses or Brahman cattle visible as they drove by. Eventually that was what you saw when driving by his place. Darrell was good at making the most of what he had "lying around". He was able to fashion a spare parts windshield to a Honda 200 motorcycle so he could join a group ride to Texas. Darrell kept multiple modes of transportation available. He had cars, skid steers, pickups, skid steers, a mini‐truck, skid steers, dump trucks, skid steers, tractors, and skid steers. He had a pontoon boat to ride on the watershed. (Which he would say he had too much to do to go with you and then wait on the shore to be picked up soon after.) He had things to ride with 2 wheels, 3 wheels, 4 wheels, 4+ wheels, and tracks. You could ride the horses, the mule, and you could even ride his tall beloved Brahman steer "Floppy". He also had a few things you couldn't ride, like his bucking stock. Darrell was an avid supporter at his kids and grandkids sporting events. He also enjoyed attending family and community gatherings. He liked to dress sharp for more formal occasions. He would wear a crisply ironed western shirt and wrangler jeans with a perfectly pressed crease down the leg. The outfit wasn't complete without cowboy boots and black cowboy hat. His everyday attire was quite the opposite. He may have been known to completely resole a pair of his work boots on the way to a sale one time. He never tired of going to auctions and finding "a deal". He enjoyed conversations and mischief with his buddies. He looked forward to trips with friends to large cattle operations in Port Lavaca. He made many early morning cattle trips to Madison through the years. Stopping for breakfast on the way of course. If you were fortunate enough to share a meal with Darrell, you know he preferred the food at a high temperature. You know to pass the salt before the food hit the table. And most likely you know the joy of him picking up the tab at least once. He had a reputation for being.... thrifty and frugal. Those close to him know of his tremendous generosity. He was always willing to help friends, neighbors, and strangers. Thank you for your constant kindness, Darrell. We will endeavor to do the same. Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Sunday, April 23, 2023, at the Waverly High School Gym. Burial will follow in Waverly Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time Sunday at the gym. Memorial contributions may be made to Waverly High School Athletics and may be sent in care of Waverly High School, 607 Pearson Ave, Waverly, KS 66871, or Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.