Darrel Bruce "Chief" Burroughs, 76 year old well known Langley resident, died Friday, April 26, 2013 at his home. He was born April 4, 1937 in Garber, Oklahoma to Ernest Merle Burroughs and Velma Deloris (McVay) Burroughs. Darrel was a graduate of Bluejacket High School, where he met his future wife Mary (Wilkins) Burroughs; they were married on March 3, 1956 in Miami. They moved to the lake area in 1959 when Darrel went to work for the Grand River Dam Authority. He was the Hydro Superintendent for the system until he retired January 1, 2000. Darrel was widely known in the area as a basketball referee and umpire, but was best described as a baseball fanatic. He coached many baseball teams including, Ketchum, the Vinita American Legion, OK Kids and numerous others. He coached an American Legion State Champion team and Ketchum State Champion team, among other very good teams throughout the years. Darrel was instrumental in many area baseball player's lives and careers. He worked with all ages of players on improving their pitching and hitting skills. Darrel enjoyed watching his two sons coach the Cowley Tigers baseball team. Darrel was also a very avid coon hunter and English coon dog enthusiast. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Vinita, where he also served as a Deacon, the Vinita Masonic Lodge and the Cowley Tiger Booster Club.
Preceding him in death were his parents, a grandson, Derek Bruce Burroughs, brothers, Michael and Phillip Burroughs, sisters, Anita Nail and Darlene Myers.
The family includes: his wife, Mary of the home, sons David Burroughs and wife, Vickie, Darren Burroughs and wife Carolyn all of Arkansas City, Kansas; daughter, Dawn Wilson and husband Luke of Crescent, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Erin, Blake, Dylan, Rachel, Brent and Brylee Burroughs, Macey, Morgan and Meghan Wilson; brother Doyle Burroughs of Ft. Gibson; sisters, Susan Bassore of Republic, Missouri and Cindy Palmer of Grove.
The funeral will be held Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Vinita, with Pastors Skip McClain and Steve Holland officiating. Casket bearers will be Blake, Brent and Dylan Burroughs, David Minson, Darren Bryant, James Chandler, John Kirby and Brett Harrison. Interment will follow at the Bluejacket Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.
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