Karl Andrew Darby, 90

Karl Andrew Darby, 90, of Hughesville, died Sunday, March 6, 2016, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Cole Camp.

He was born November 8, 1925, in Carroll County, son of John Wink and Vallie Estella Chapman Darby.

On January 10, 1947, he graduated from Carrollton High School.

Karl served in the United States Navy from July 8, 1944, until he was honorably discharged on August 15, 1946.

On July 26, 1953, in Hughesville, he married Ruth Ann Parkhurst. Together they enjoyed 62 years.

Karl farmed and co-owned and operated an anhydrous ammonia business in Carroll County, MO until he moved to Hughesville in 1959, where he began crop and livestock farming.

In his early years, he was involved with the Carroll and Pettis County Balanced Farming group. He enjoyed attending cattle events, and raising and showing Charolais cattle, especially with his daughters and grandchildren. He and Ruth Ann enjoyed square dancing.

He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church for many years, and most recently was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Karl was a member and served on boards of many agricultural and cattle industry organizations including Farm Bureau, Pettis County Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American-International Charolais Association, was a member and past president of the Missouri Charolais Breeder’s Association, and was a 4-H leader for many years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughter, Karen Darby Simon (Tom) and Nancy Darby Sellers (Kent), both of Sedalia, Cindy Darby Schuknecht (Brad), of Lincoln, and Linda Darby Kahrs (Rusty), of Hughesville; eight grandchildren, Connor Simon, Darby Simon, Crystal Sellers Hardy (Nathan), Kyle Sellers (Julie), Jessica Schukneckt Moon (Christopher), Karla Schuknecht Riggs (Derek), Matthew Kahrs (Brittney) and Sara Kahrs; four great-grandsons; one sister, Sara Darby Haraway (Pepper), of Norman, Oklahoma; and one brother, Robert W. Darby (Janice), of Columbia.

He was preceded in death by four siblings, Joan Darby Jackson, Helen Darby Pearson, L. Marjorie Darby Leimkuhler and John E. Darby.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Carrollton Oak Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 12, at the First United Methodist Celebration Center in Sedalia.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Missouri Junior Charolais Association, the Pettis County Cattlemen’s Scholarship Endowment Fund or Pettis County 4-H.

Arrangements are in the care of Heckart Funeral Home.