Kevin D. Darst

Kevin Darst, age 62, of Madison, MO passed away in his home on November 30, 2023. 

He was born on May 10th, 1961, in Moberly, MO, to Delmar and Betty (White) Darst.  Kevin graduated from Madison High School, Madison, MO in 1979 and at that time fulfilled his lifelong dream of driving a semi-truck.  He worked hard and taught himself everything he needed to know, so he could earn his Commercial Driver’s License.  He drove over the road for Orscheln Farm and Home and Dohrn Transfer.  He also hauled concrete, gravel, and farm products such as grain and corn for several people around the area of his residence.  He enjoyed driving for many years.  Kevin also worked for Helig-Meyers Furniture Company and Everlast Supply in Moberly, MO. 

Kevin was a great storyteller, and always had a good joke to share.  He had the ability to keep people around him entertained, for as long as they could stay.  He never knew a stranger, and if the person he was talking to was a stranger, they would not be for long.  He had many friends he kept in touch with since high school and enjoyed going to farm toy shows, tractor pulls, and other events with them on a regular basis.  Additionally, he sometimes sold farm toys with lifelong friend, Greg Pierce, under the name of Red Iron Acres.   Kevin was also an amazing and well-remembered guitar player.  He played in several bands including the Lolli Brothers Band, Stroker Ace, Wheeler Crossing, the Rodgers Band, and a 3 piece group they humorously called KRAP, name conceived by putting together one or two initials, from each of their names.  Kevin was also fond of attending Bluegrass Festivals and concerts.  He loved playing music and would go anywhere and play with anyone every time he had the chance.  His favorite music to play and listen to was Southern Rock and some of his best loved groups/individuals included The Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, Blackberry Smoke, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Missouri, and Justin Johnson. 

Another great accomplishment for Kevin was to have had the opportunity to own and operate a pulling tractor.  Kevin, together with his cousin Darrell Darst, purchased an International Harvester tractor called the “End of the Trail.”  The tractor had a picture of The End of the Trail painted on its side because that was one of Kevin’s favorite Indian pictures.  They participated in a great number of tractor pulls and brought home many trophies, before deciding to sell the tractor.  Kevin always told me how blessed he had been to follow through on all of his dreams-driving a truck, playing guitar, and owning a pulling tractor.

Kevin was a member of the Madison Christian Church and took pleasure in attending church every Sunday, so he could hear his favorite reverend, Larry Allen Thomas, preach.  Kevin and Larry Allen had been friends since childhood and had always stayed in touch.  Kevin is preceded in death by his mom and dad, Betty and Delmar Darst, Madison, MO, his sister, Jodel Darst, Macon, MO, his grandparents, Seldon and Alice Darst and Joe and Pansy White, Madison, MO.  He is survived by his sister, Susan Darst, Madison, MO, his nephew, Sergeant Blake Martin, United States Marine Corp, Quantico, Virginia and his wife, Lynn Darst, Madison, MO.  He will be sadly missed by family, friends, and all of the people whose lives he touched in many different ways. 

A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Madison Community Center on December 16, 2023, followed by a memorial service beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Local arrangements are under the direction of PATHWAY-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, Missouri 65270 (660) 263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.