Darryl Wayne Andrews

Darryl Wayne Andrews, "Mr. A", age 60, went to his heavenly paradise on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. He was born May 6, 1963 in Lawton, OK. Darryl was the light of the Yukon community and an avid Millers fan who served 39 wonderful years with Yukon Public Schools.

A born leader, Darryl was active and involved as a young child and was a proud Boy Scout. He attended Yukon High School, graduating in 1981. While in high school he was very active in FFA, showing pigs, including a grand champion, and won numerous FFA awards. Darryl continued his education at El Reno Junior College (now Redlands Community College) and then Cameron University, graduating in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy and Agriculture Sciences.

Darryl began substitute teaching for Yukon Public Schools in 1985, and then transitioned to teaching 9th grade physical sciences at Yukon High School. He became camp director of Camp Sooner Christian Camp in 1982 and served in that role every summer for over 20 years. In 2001, he began teaching leadership and physical science at YHS. In the early 2000s, he exclusively began teaching leadership.

Darryl was Yukon's longtime Student Council sponsor and began attending the Oklahoma Association of Student Councils (OASC), National Association of Student Councils (NASC) and CADA conventions. He volunteered and coached for Special Olympics for many years. While Darryl served as Student Council advisor, Yukon High School hosted the state convention in 2006, 2010, 2015, and 2020 and the national convention in 2012. He served as District 8 advisor and hosted several district conventions as well.

Darryl had a strong passion for community service and volunteerism and led by example with a servant heart. 25 years ago, he helped develop the Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT), a freshmen leadership program sponsored by the Yukon Chamber of Commerce. He presented at multiple teacher science conventions and served on the OASC board from 2006-09. Darryl attended the Basic Leadership Workshop as a facilitator for the last 20 years. In 2004, he became director of the Advanced Leadership Workshop and served for 18 years.

Darryl found a passion for serving the Oklahoma community through the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) as a volunteer. Under his leadership, Yukon High School was awarded OBI top recruiter and three-peat top blood drive champion.

A humble man, Darryl received many distinguished awards, including the Milken Award in 2003, Yukon Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2006, Maurice Walraven Award in 2006, Region 6 Advisor of the Year Award in 2007, Denise Vaniadis Award in 2011, Bob Burton Spirit Award in 2018, Warren E. Shull State StuCo Advisor of the Year in 2022, California Association of Directors of Activities Honorary Lifetime Member, and Countless Gold Chapter awards for national and state StuCo. His class also received the NCEA Youth Leadership Award ­­­­­­­­­­in 2005.

He was awarded the Yukon Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award in 2001 and the Yukon Chamber's H.B. Frank Citizen of the Year Award in 2016.

It was recently announced that the new Yukon High School Performing Arts Center will the named the Darryl W. Andrews Auditorium and the Yukon Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award will be named the Darryl W. Andrews Volunteer of the Year Award.

Darryl was loved by all, and he loved them right back, and he made everyone his "OHANA." Ohana is a Hawaiian word that means family, love and togetherness.

Darryl is preceded in death by his father Asa James Andrews; mother Vernita Helms Taylor; grandparents, an uncle and an aunt.

He is survived by his sister Marsha Maguffee Goines of Oklahoma City; niece Ashley Palmer of Yukon, OK; nephew Matthew Palmer of Andrews, TX; brother Kevin Andrews, niece Logan and husband Aaron Morris and kids, and nephew Caiden Andrews all of Wichita, KS; nephew James Andrews of Oklahoma City, aunt Romelda Byrd and cousins all of Lawton, OK, as well as many, many friends, colleagues, current students, and former students.

A Darryl W. Andrews Memorial Scholarship is being established to allow Mr. A to continue to help others. His family is currently working out details to establish the scholarship which will be awarded annually allowing his services to others to continue forever. Donations should be made out to the Darryl W. Andrews Memorial Scholarship, c/o Yanda & Son Funeral Home, P.O. Box 850119, Yukon, OK 73085.

Viewing will be held from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., on Thursday, April 11, 2024 and 9 a.m. - noon on Friday, April 12 at the funeral home. Darryl's life will be celebrated at 9 a.m., Saturday, April 13 at the Yukon Fine Arts Center, 850 Yukon Ave., Yukon, OK, with interment following at 3 p.m., at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Lawton, OK. The family requests that all guests attending the funeral wear their favorite T-shirt in memory of Mr. A, bright colors or Miller red. A livestream of the service may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/@yukonpublicschools27