Obituary for Wesley Darrell Almand
Wesley Darrell Almand, 81, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at home in Irving, Texas.
Darrell was born on Monday, February 27, 1939 at home, Route 2, on a farm near Italy, Texas to John
Wesley Almand and Teura Wheatly Almand. He was raised near Avalon, Texas where he
graduated from High School. He loved telling that he was valedictorian in a class of being the
only boy with 5 girls. There he played basketball that began a lifelong love for the sport. After
graduating from North Texas University, he went into the Army during Vietnam War,1963-1966.
His discharge papers note he was a Nuclear Weapons Maintenance Specialist, stationed in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married Janis Walker Almand on July 1, 1972 in Ozona, Texas. The fun story of how they met
is that it was at the Gemini Drive-In Theater on Central Expressway in Dallas, Texas. A car full of
gals parked next to a car full of guys. The double feature movies were PATTON and MASH.
Darrell worked as a computer programmer, starting when computers filled an entire room. The
companies where he worked were the Burroughs Corporation, Unysis, and Atco. He served the
South MacArthur Church of Christ as an Elder for 14 years and now attends Christ Church in
Irving. There he taught a Jr High Sunday School class and served as a mentor to boys in an Irving
School program. After retirement, he spent many hours at the Hope Center that distributed
food. He attended 3 different men’s breakfast groups and a men’s Bible study on Monday
nights.
A highlight of the year was the annual Cousin’s Camp that he, Janis and sister in law, Gwynel
Wells took their 10 grandchildren to their ranch in Southwest Texas for 18 years. He mentored
driving lessons, hunting lessons, fire building, flat tire changing, and his brand of patience.
Darrell loved the ranch and he loved to travel. They have been to 49 states and Europe.
His hobbies were all kind of sports, an avid reader, and he enjoyed games, especially 42.
This past Thanksgiving with all family at the ranch, giving thanks around the table, Darrell said
he was thankful for the family and passionately expressed thanks for his longtime faithful
friends’ group.
He is survived by his wife, Janis Almand, of Irving, Texas, 2 children, Amy Vandeventer and
husband Henry of Bryant, Arkansas, and Anna Cornell of Euless, Texas. Grandchildren Wesley
and Whitney Vandeventer and Kason and Kade Cornell. His sister, Wanda Westbrook of
Waxahachie, Texas and sister in law, Gwynel Wells of Dallas, Texas. His Nieces and Nephews:
Gary and Lacey Wells, children, Reece, HollyAnn, and Walker of Double Oak, Texas, Gaylynn and
Mark Neas, children Taylor, Brooke and Lauren of Sugar Land, Texas. Tony and Laurie Jeffry,
children Avery and Aubrie, of Plano, Texas.
A celebration of his life is pending until the virus crisis has passed. Burial will be at Cedar Hill
Cemetery in Ozona, Texas.
Memorials may be sent to Camp in the City, Christ Church, Irving, Texas, 972-986-8989
1750 E. Airport Fwy., Irving, Tx, 75062 ccirving.com email address
Darrell was born on Monday, February 27, 1939 at home, Route 2, on a farm near Italy, Texas to John
Wesley Almand and Teura Wheatly Almand. He was raised near Avalon, Texas where he
graduated from High School. He loved telling that he was valedictorian in a class of being the
only boy with 5 girls. There he played basketball that began a lifelong love for the sport. After
graduating from North Texas University, he went into the Army during Vietnam War,1963-1966.
His discharge papers note he was a Nuclear Weapons Maintenance Specialist, stationed in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married Janis Walker Almand on July 1, 1972 in Ozona, Texas. The fun story of how they met
is that it was at the Gemini Drive-In Theater on Central Expressway in Dallas, Texas. A car full of
gals parked next to a car full of guys. The double feature movies were PATTON and MASH.
Darrell worked as a computer programmer, starting when computers filled an entire room. The
companies where he worked were the Burroughs Corporation, Unysis, and Atco. He served the
South MacArthur Church of Christ as an Elder for 14 years and now attends Christ Church in
Irving. There he taught a Jr High Sunday School class and served as a mentor to boys in an Irving
School program. After retirement, he spent many hours at the Hope Center that distributed
food. He attended 3 different men’s breakfast groups and a men’s Bible study on Monday
nights.
A highlight of the year was the annual Cousin’s Camp that he, Janis and sister in law, Gwynel
Wells took their 10 grandchildren to their ranch in Southwest Texas for 18 years. He mentored
driving lessons, hunting lessons, fire building, flat tire changing, and his brand of patience.
Darrell loved the ranch and he loved to travel. They have been to 49 states and Europe.
His hobbies were all kind of sports, an avid reader, and he enjoyed games, especially 42.
This past Thanksgiving with all family at the ranch, giving thanks around the table, Darrell said
he was thankful for the family and passionately expressed thanks for his longtime faithful
friends’ group.
He is survived by his wife, Janis Almand, of Irving, Texas, 2 children, Amy Vandeventer and
husband Henry of Bryant, Arkansas, and Anna Cornell of Euless, Texas. Grandchildren Wesley
and Whitney Vandeventer and Kason and Kade Cornell. His sister, Wanda Westbrook of
Waxahachie, Texas and sister in law, Gwynel Wells of Dallas, Texas. His Nieces and Nephews:
Gary and Lacey Wells, children, Reece, HollyAnn, and Walker of Double Oak, Texas, Gaylynn and
Mark Neas, children Taylor, Brooke and Lauren of Sugar Land, Texas. Tony and Laurie Jeffry,
children Avery and Aubrie, of Plano, Texas.
A celebration of his life is pending until the virus crisis has passed. Burial will be at Cedar Hill
Cemetery in Ozona, Texas.
Memorials may be sent to Camp in the City, Christ Church, Irving, Texas, 972-986-8989
1750 E. Airport Fwy., Irving, Tx, 75062 ccirving.com email address