Darwin E. McKray
May 17, 2020
Darwin Eugene McKray, 80, life-long resident of Des Moines passed away on May 17, 2020. He was born August 3, 1939, in Panora, Iowa, to Harold McKray and Doris (DeVoogt) McKray.
Darwin graduated from the Des Moines Public Schools. He went on to be employed as a union laborer in the Des Moines area his entire adult life and was a member of the Laborers International Union of North America.
Darwin was an active hunter and fisherman. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers, as well as the Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones, and local Des Moines professional baseball, football, hockey, and basketball teams.
Darwin resided his last four years at Ramsey Village Care Community where he developed many close friendships with residents and staff. His family is deeply appreciative of the care Darwin received at Ramsey.
Darwin was preceded in death by his father, Harold, in 1988, and his mother, Doris, in 2009. He is survived by sisters, Dolores Groesbeck (Dan) of Lorimor, Iowa, and DeLane Sparland (Kent) of West Salem, Wisconsin; nephews, Jerry Jenkins, Jr. (Colleen) of Des Moines, Matthew Sparland (Lisa) of Ridgecrest, California, and Brian Sparland (Joy) of Fitchburg, Wisconsin; great-niece, Madison Jenkins of Des Moines, great-nephews, Calvin and Burke Sparland of Fitchburg, Wisconsin.
A private graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 1 NE 60th Avenue in Des Moines.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Greg Schumacher
05/22/2020
There goes Darwin. Having
breakfast and then racing
downstairs to see which
games are on TV today.
He had a heart of gold and wanted to help everyone. He got a copy
of the TV sports section
for all his friends. What a guy. Remember when I get up there you owe me
a pool game. It wont be long now and I will be reading the sports out loud so you still hear
them. Save a seat for me buddy. Greg
Diane Freeman
05/20/2020
I have always enjoyed being around and visiting with Darwin. He never missed the opportunity to speak caring words and asking about everyone in the family. I know he had a soft spot for Craig. His kind hearted concern for everyone spoke volumes about his character. I wish him a joyous homecoming and eternal peace.
Heather Rawlins
05/19/2020
Darwin had a heart of gold and a smile to go along with it. I had the pleasure of knowing Darwin in my two years working at Ramsey Village, from day one we were buddies for life. We chatted about sports, gardening, Christmas, food, and everything else under the sun. Darwin loved life and his family so much. I will treasure my pictures and memories always! We will all miss his face around here, no one was quite like our Darwin. Thinking of you all during this time.