Daryl R. Stovall
February 10, 1960 ~ May 1, 2024
Daryl R. Stovall, 64, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family from pancreatic cancer and kidney disease. He was preceded in death by his parents Christopher E. and Oneida (Daniels) Stovall.
Daryl had a passion for sports. Beginning at an early age, he thrived playing in Pee-Wee and Summer Leagues. His mother carried a copy of his birth certificate in her purse, as proof, to satisfy the parents of the opposing teams because he was so tall for his age. Even in his youth, he was a walking and talking sports statistician. Daryl’s exceptional athletic talent led him to achievements in high school and college, excelling in basketball and baseball. While in high school, his then 4-year-old niece, Tova, was his biggest fan cheering him along with “The Rowdies” who were a separate cheering section in addition to the BWHS Cheerleaders and Pep Club.
He graduated from Bellevue West High School in 1978 (opening year) and his photo is the first on the BWHS Wall of Fame.
Daryl was a lock down defender on the basketball court and a speedy outfielder and first baseman on the field. At Bellevue West, he averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds as a senior all-starter. On the baseball diamond, he achieved all-state selection two-times. At Creighton University, he continued to play both sports, setting a freshman home run record and averaging double figures in basketball his last three years. Daryl’s athletic ability led him to be selected by the Chicago White Socks in the MLB draft and also the San Diego Clippers in the NBA draft. He was also selected as a free agent for the Dallas Cowboys even though he had not played football in several years. He chose to sign with the Chicago White Sox before his senior baseball season. However, an injury, ended the pursuit of a career in the Major Leagues.
Daryl was inducted into the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame and the Nebraska Black Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 for outstanding contributions in the sports arena.
Daryl continued his life’s work in coaching sports. He made an impact with youths who were vulnerable to gang violence, by getting them involved in basketball and baseball. He was instrumental in assisting Bruce Rasmussen with the Creighton Women’s Basketball Team. Daryl coached numerous teams including Legion Baseball (1982-1986), Benson Express (2010) and South Omaha Saints (2013).
Most importantly, Daryl cherished his time with family and friends including celebrating holidays and birthdays, watching sporting events, coaching his great nephew, family game nights and a multitude of phone calls and visits to keep in touch. He will be remembered for the intense devotion he had for those he cared for from childhood to his adult life.
Daryl is survived by his life partner, Kathy Wolter; brothers, Clifton Stovall (Sheila) and Roderick Stovall; sister, Venetia Casey (Lonzie); niece, Tova Safford; nephew, Chris Casey (Amy). great nephew, Devin Safford, and great niece, Ciara Casey.
The greatest love is the life we have shared and the memories we’ve made. He will be deeply missed and no matter how many years we had with him, there were not enough.
We wish to thank all the doctors, nurses and care teams at DCI, Nebraska Cancer Specialist and Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy, as well as, the team at AseraCare.
Visitation: Friday, May 10, 5:00 ~ 7:00 p.m., Bellevue Memorial Funeral Chapel.
Funeral Service: Saturday, May 11, 10:30 a.m., Bellevue Memorial Funeral Chapel.
To view a live broadcast of the service, go to the website below, and click the link on the Stovall obituary.
Interment: Bellevue Cemetery
Memorials may be directed to Creighton University Summer Youth Basketball and Baseball Camps.
9 Comments
Daryl, I’m going to miss running into you at Casey’s for gas, and for me, my lottery tickets! You have been my friend since grade school!! You are the best athlete that ever came out of Bellevue, Nebraska and you and your family were an integral part of this town!! Prayers to all who loved you! I will see you again, my friend. Hey, go look and find my son Kyle up there!!!!, You two were both the most sports driven people I’ve ever known!!! I will miss you every day, Daryl. I’m honored to have called you a friend! Go Avery School!!
Rest easy gentle giant. May your family find solace during this time. Enjoyed PE with you.
No matter who you were, Daryl made you feel special. Our time at Bellevue West are some of my best memories from high school. A truly gentle giant, but definitely had a fierce competitive spirit. Had the dubious honor to guard Larry Bird while at Creighton and liked to joke that he kept him under 30! Daryl had a great sense of humor. He will truly be missed. I guess God needed a power forward for his team in Heaven. .
I loved this brother. When we were young kids, it seemed we were inseparable. Daryl, along with many other kids from school made great memories on and off the courts and fields. Daryl was a genuine, caring human being. He had a tremendous heart and will be remembered for his kindness, courage and compassion for others. Rest in sweet, loving peace my brother and friend!
You were and always be my big brother thank you for sharing many great times with me . I will always keep your memory alive thank you for being a great friend and big brother to me Love you forever my guy RIP and miss you my brother.
I am so saddened to hear about the loss of Daryl. I am very blessed to have played baseball with Daryl my sophomore and junior year at Bellevue East, and to see him win the State championship at Bellevue West. God bless all his family and friends.
AM sorry to hear the new about Darrell was a big fan of Creighton basket and it was Darrell’s play that made me a fan great bball player
Daryl was a quiet force on and off the court/field. I have fond memories of him during basketball games and every so often a big beautiful smile during games. My sympathy to all the good friends from high school and over the years. To his family, this is a loss but he lives on in so many ways and blessings to you all.
Daryl you’re bigger than life the gentle giant thank you for helping raise Devin along the way like you always said it takes a village I really enjoy all the long conversations we had had about baseball basketball even politics you are a very big impact in my life I will continue to cherish the moments you were always Devin’s number one fan through the good and the bad I know how much you cherish having Sierra and Devin around you will never be forgotten thank you for all the great memories
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