Darryl Eugene Unruh went to be with the Lord on February 14, 2008. He was born on April 17, 1937 in Great Bend, Kansas. He was the son of the late Cleatys Unruh and Mildred Miller. He graduated from East High School in Wichita, Kansas and attended Kansas State School of Business.
Darryl was an entrepreneur and community builder. He was a man of integrity and closed many a deal with only a hand shake. After working for Beech Aircraft for 14 years, he moved to Western North Carolina in 1970 and purchased the first of two dozen of Pizza Huts. A decade later he formed DEU Enterprises, which consisted of several businesses in the Asheville area. The employees of DEU Enterprises were much loved and considered to be extended members of the Unruh family.
He enjoyed creating jobs for people and giving back to the community. With the aid of his close friend Reverend Richard Eley, Darryl formed an educational foundation to “provide four-year scholarships to any in-state public college to deserving students in Buncombe County.” He became a mentor and friend to many scholarship recipients.
Darryl gave of his time to many organizations. He served on the boards of the Asheville Airport Authority, St. Joseph Hospital, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Presbyterian Home for Children. Al Jones Christian Ministry, Emmaus Ministries, UNC Chapel Hill Education Foundation and the Flat Rock Playhouse. He also served on many committees and as Elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Asheville. Most recently, he was a member of the Biltmore Baptist Church.
He had many interests and hobbies including he was an avid golfer, loved to water and snow ski and was passionate about all things UNC Tar Hill. Darryl loved to fly. After spending many years working with planes, he later went on to become a certified pilot and owned several airplanes.
Darryl was a loving husband and family member, and supportive father and grandfather. Darryl is survived by his wife of thirty years, Grace Taylor Unruh and five children, Dana Maddux, Kim Kinsella and her husband Dave. Darryl Unruh, Jr.and his wife Denise, Jill Earwood and her husband Bobby, Crystal Pace and Crystal Unruh. He had seven grandchildren of whom he was very proud. They are Jeni, Justin, Hannah, Katie and Megan.
Towards the end of his life, Darryl was very sick, but he was a fighter and gracious patient. With the support of his friends, family and medical community, and a kidney donated by his brother-in-law, Danny Foster, he battled his illness for more than twelve years. He never complained about the numerous procedures and visits to the hospital and kept his humor until the very end. He passed away quietly surrounded by song and prayer, and people that loved him dearly.
A special thanks to all the media profession who gave him the opportunity to have a better quality of life. With gratitude, to all the doctors that became our friends; Dr. Joe Aiello, Dr. Denny Crews, Dr. Daniel Smith, Dr. Roger Domby, Dr. Robert Moffit, Dr. Donald Conway, Dr. Earl Shook, Dr. David Schroeder and Dr. Michael Unks.
A memorial service will be held at Biltmore Baptist Church on February, Sunday, 17th at 2:00 PM and a celebration of his life will be held afterwards at the Rock Café, also located at the Biltmore Baptist Church. A private burial will be held for the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Darryl Unruh Educational Foundation at 68 Orange Street, Asheville, NC 28801; Biltmore Baptist Church, Hope Ministry or the American Red Cross.
