Darrell Magee

Darrell Magee passed away peacefully at the age of 100 in Mesquite, Nevada—a milestone that his beloved wife Valbella had long hoped he would reach. Born in Helix, Oregon, on January 27, 1925, to America and Ray Magee, Darrell lived a century marked by devotion, wit, and quiet strength. He was a loving husband, a dedicated father and grandfather, and a man who brought warmth and laughter wherever he went. He had a gift for making others feel welcome- whether through a well-timed joke, a shared story, or his love of a good party.

Raised primarily by his mother America, a schoolteacher, Darrell grew up with strong values of kindness and respect for others – traits that defined how he treated everyone he met. He was a lifelong Democrat who loved a good conversation about politics or history—two of his greatest passions. After serving in World War II, Darrell attended Oregon State University and began a career in food processing. His first job was at a plant in California, where he met Valbella, a recent immigrant from Italy. He spoke no Italian; she spoke no English. But they understood each other perfectly, and their love story began.

The two moved to Pendleton, Oregon, where they raised four children—Mary, Bob, Mark, and Sheila—and built a vibrant life filled with dance contests at the Elks Club, getaways to Reno, and lifelong friendships. While Val was the spark in the spotlight, Darrell played the role of quiet comic: his favorite photo pose was pretending to pour a drink into his own ear, to which Val would always respond with mock outrage, “Darrell, you had to ruin it!”

Darrell’s career in food processing took him to several plants across Eastern Oregon, including Smith Frozen Foods and Lamb-Weston. In the 1960s, he extended his expertise abroad, working with USAID on agricultural development projects in Turkey—an experience that reflected both his professional knowledge and his desire to help others. Later, he and Val retired to Mesquite, Nevada, and traveled the world together, achieving elite status. They spent summers with family in Portland, OR, and crisscrossed the western states in a TV-equipped van, moving furniture, visiting grandkids, and hauling Val’s garage sale finds.

Though casual in style—often wearing the same outfit each day—Darrell would happily don a tuxedo to match his glittering wife at a formal dinner. He was endlessly patient, quietly hilarious, and genuinely kind. Val used to say, “Darrell - he’s one of the good ones.” And he was. In every photo from their 77 years together, Darrell is by Val’s side. They were inseparable. A perfect pair. When she passed in 2024 after 77 years of marriage, his heartbreak was quiet but profound.

Darrell is survived by his daughters Mary Magee (Bob Livingston) and Sheila Magee (Joel Arick); grandchildren Heidi Hiskey, Corey Hiskey (Nicole), Jesse Arick (Nicole), and Kara Magee-Arick (Johnandrew Slominski); great-grandchildren Jessica Heller, Justin Heller, Torrey Newson, Dalton Hurd, Cambria Hurd, Alexandra Hiskey, Peyton Arick, Connor Arick, and Evelyn Slominski; and four great-great-grandchildren.

A quiet celebration of Darrell’s life will be held in Pendleton, OR at a later date.