Woolison, Darrell

Darrell Woolison of Mesquite, Texas, formerly of Olin, was born Oct. 18, 1972, in Monticello, Iowa, to Terri and Darrell Woolison. He passed away on Sept. 27, 2011, in Mesquite Texas.

He is survived by his mother, Terri Woolison; his sister, Jen (Mike) Caffery (both of) Olin; nieces, Reagan and Abby; nephews, Ethan and Ian; grandmother, Donna Faulkner; uncles, Jorge Faulkner and Danny (Shelly) Smith; aunt, Veronica (Gareth) Michaelsen; cousin, Tim Harms; friends, Jason Dircks, Stan Smith, Erin Atkins and Carol Erwin; and his side kick, Yoko. And so many more.

He was preceded in death by his father, Darrell Woolison; grandfathers, William (Bud) Woolison and Dan Smith; his grandmother, Erma Woolison; great-grandmother, Vera Michaelsen; great-grandfather, John (Jack) Michaelsen; and cousin, Susie Harms.

Darrell graduated from Olin Consolidated High School in 1991. He began his career at MCI in Cedar Rapids, and transferred to Texas in 1998, to continue working for them. While in Texas, he worked for DAS and was most recently employed at Trophy Nissan. Darrell excelled at everything he did and won national awards for sales as well as numerous awards for his musical talent including the John Phillips Sousa Award.

Darrell brought so much too so many people's lives - we will never understand why he left us so young. We can only cherish the memories we have shared together and wish him eternal peace. He was such a sweet soul to go so young. Our hearts are broken ... we want him back for at least one last moment to share. There are so many stories and memories we all have.

Darrell was cremated and he will be laid to rest at the family farm, as well as near his home in Texas. Lahey Funeral Home in Olin handled the service.

You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back, or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him, or you can be full of the love that you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he is gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn back, or you can do what he would want:

Smile, open your eyes love and go on.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 18, 2011.