Darrell Clay McIntire

6/11/1949 – 04/08/2024

Darrell C. McIntire (Clay) was born on June 11, 1949 and departed this earth peacefully on April 8, 2024, in order to dwell in his Eternal resting place and to be with our Lord. He was home with those he loved and who loved him.

Darrell was born in Opa Locha, Florida, where he discovered as a young boy how to nurture his adventurous spirit and passion for life. He was always an avid outdoorsman and loved skydiving, snorkeling, sailing, hiking, camping, water-skiing, cycling, skating and ice skating.

Darrell had a passion for life and nature and enjoyed the simple things. Quiet drives on backroads, admiring falling leaves from trees, inspired by the promise of what would be reborn from a season of rest.

He moved to the Midwest and developed an interest in spelunking and explored beautiful caverns in and around the Southern Missouri area. He was owner/operator of one of the first Skydiving clubs in the midwest, where he was instructor to many students over the years. He was asked to be one of the main attractions during the opening of “The Arrowhead Football Stadium” and of “Worlds of Fun,” both located in Kansas City, MO. He executed an amazing skydiving exhibit and show into the venues on their opening days and it was truly one of the highlights of his life.

He was a light to those who knew him and was always full of fun, laughs and love. His life revolved around a commitment to others and what he could do to help those who were in need. He gave of himself much more than he took for himself and all who knew him, knew this. He never knew a stranger and relished in chats with new friends he made everywhere he went. He lived, loved, laughed and was loyal to the end and when he left this world, he left it a better place because of his spirit of kindness.

After relocating to Independence, MO, he met his wife, Lesa Monette McIntire (Harmon.) They were married for 47 years and always believed that they had been blessed to have found their soul-mate in each other. Darrell owned his business for many years as a designer and developer for dentist office expansions as well as, a dental equipment technician and salesman. He was blessed with the gift of being able to do almost anything. If he didn’t know how to do something, he could always “hands on” figure it out. His mother-in-law would tell everyone that “He was as handy as a pocket on a shirt.” He was also a strong supporter and partner in his wife’s music business. He had as much passion for the music industry as she did and was always a very strong and positive influence in her teaching studio and production shows. They made the perfect team in most everything they shared as husband and wife.

Darrell was preceded in death by his father, Orville James McIntire; mother, Elsie Lorraine Van Hoose McIntire; sister, Joy Yvonne Lingenfelser; father-in-law, Rex Harmon; and mother-in-law, Wanda Harmon.

He is survived by his wife, Lesa Monette McIntire of Kearney, MO; daughter, Carolyn Rae McIntire of Doha, Qatar; son, Moriah Clay McIntire of Independence, MO; grandson, Orville James McIntire of Independence, MO; and granddaughter, Venus Christina McIntire of Lees Summit, MO. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Alexis Lynn Martin of Liberty, MO, and Deiadra Dean Fisher of Kearney, MO, who he loved dearly and considered his sisters as well. More survivors include his nephews and nieces, Shelley Martin, Butch Haberman, Jeremy Sila, Amber Hessenflow, Aaron Pederson, Ryan Pederson, Lindsey Pederson, Erik Mewes, Mike Mewes, Dwight Mewes, Kelly Mewes and Shelly Houchens Mewes, many of whom spent years living with Clay and Lesa and he loved them as his own.

Darrell, who many called “Clay” will be missed terribly, but we know he is in a much better place and is no longer suffering from Alzheimer’s, which robbed him of so much of his physical body and mind, but could not touch his beautiful spirit and those things which belonged to our God.

He chose to be cremated and the family will also be respecting his wishes to not have funeral or memorial services, but rather to give all of his family and friends the message that “he truly did love each of you.”

My husband was a special man, a special husband, a special father, a special family member, friend and human being. I was so blessed to have had him as my husband for so many years and I look forward to the day that I will see him and embrace him again. He is whole, he is healed, he is no longer suffering and he is with Jesus in his Kingdom.

Soar with the Eagles My Love. Thank you for loving me and I will love you forever, “My Clay.”

Arrangements in care of Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Kearney, MO.