Darrell Joseph Wells Obituary

Darrell Joseph Wells, 60, died on Friday, July 21, 2017 in El Paso, Texas after a lengthy illness. Darrell was born on Sept. 16, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan to Carl J. and Mary Rita (Karpency) Wells. Darrell attended elementary school in Detroit, Michigan, Travis AFB, California, and Bridgeport, Nebraska, graduating from Bridgeport High School in 1974. He attended Kearney State College, Kearney, Nebraska, for one year where he played football. He enlisted in the US Army in 1975 where he met Sharon Masch. They married in 1976. Two daughters were born to this marriage, Miranda Wells Poole and Chrissy Wells Harper. Darrell entered the food service business, serving as manager for several restaurants and worked for the Cabela's Sporting Goods Corporation as a restaurant developer, opening several restaurants in various parts of the US. His career in food service led to his living in several areas of the country, finally residing in El Paso, Texas, where he met Patricia Carrera, the final and devoted love of his life, and her son, Sebastian. Although his career in food service took him to many locations, Darrell always considered Bridgeport, Nebraska as his hometown.

Darrell was an avid Nebraska football fan, watching every game no matter where he was living at the time. He even had the Nebraska Fight Song as his phone's ring tone. His love for and confidence in the Big Red team led Darrell to make many bets, not for money, but for bragging rights. One of Nebraska's losses had Darrell wearing some questionable apparel and parading down a main street where he was living. Darrell was finally able to tour the Nebraska football stadium last summer during a family reunion. Darrell loved his family and friends and he enjoyed spending time with them, whether in person or conversing on Skype on his computer. His philosophy of life was simple: Live life to the fullest, do the unexpected, and, whenever possible, live your life on your own terms.

Darrell is survived by his devoted partner, Patricia Carrera, and her son, Sebastian of El Paso, his daughter Miranda Poole of Warren, Michigan and granddaughter, McKenzie, and daughter, Chrissy Harper of Strongsville, Ohio. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters Carl Dan (Linda) Wells, Apache Junction, AZ, Richard (Wei Li) Wells, Nanning, China, Donald (Virginia) Wells, Apache Junction, AZ, Dianna (Bob) McDonald, Cheyenne, WY, David (Helen) Wells, Denton, TX, Darlene (Mike) Darbro, Central City, NE and Dwayne (Germaine) Wells, Potomac, MD. He is also survived by many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Carl J. and Mary Rita Wells, grandparents, and several aunts and uncles. Services and internment will be determined at a later date.