Chris leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and pride in his family. He is survived by his daughters, Brandie Lovell and husband Chris, and Christie “Smokie-Jo” Gream and husband Kenny, Suzzina Peters, and Twila Hoffman; his grandchildren, Summer Campbell, Michael Campbell, Jake Lovell and wife Lillian, Addyson Gream, Molly Gream, Weston Gream, and Lillian Gream; and his great-grandchildren, Krista Campbell, Rebel Campbell, and Maverick Campbell. Chris is also survived by his sisters, Lawanda Heacock, Marlene Lewis, Geraldine Tucker, Barbara Darnell, and Nancy Winfery.
Chris’s life was marked by his pride in his military service. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1972 and served with distinction until 1975. Assigned to the 2nd Platoon as a rifleman, Chris quickly proved himself to be a dedicated and skilled soldier. His service took a remarkable turn when he was selected as a body bearer, an honor that further demonstrated his commitment to his country and his fellow service members.
Chris’s military career reached its pinnacle when he was chosen out of thousands of Marines to serve as a presidential security guard, proudly serving under President Richard Nixon. He was also on the Marine Honor guard for the funerals of President Lyndon B. Johnson, General Vandergrift, General Creighton, and General Abrams. His role as the NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge) of the saluting batteries was one he carried with immense pride, and his contributions to the security of the president during those years were a source of great personal achievement.
A proud member of the Choctaw Nation, Chris carried the values of faith, family, and culture deeply within him, sharing them with everyone he encountered. He was committed to passing on the teachings of the Choctaw language and culture to his family and loved ones.
Family was everything to Chris, and his devotion to them was immeasurable. He was known as “Pops” and “Poppie” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the center of his world. His love for his family shone brightly in everything he did, and he made it his life’s mission to instill in them the same values of hard work, integrity, and dedication that he held dear.
Chris was known far and wide for his storytelling. Whether regaling tales of his military days, recounting his many adventures on oil rigs across the globe, his love of hunting and fishing, or simply sharing life experiences, Chris had a gift for captivating his audience. His stories were rich with detail, humor, and wisdom. He could transport anyone to the places he had been, making them feel as though they were right there with him.
After his military service, Chris went on to pursue a career in carpentry, a craft he loved. He built homes, did remodeling, and enjoyed passing down his knowledge to others. His expertise and passion for carpentry were evident in every project he took on, and he was always eager to share his skills with anyone willing to learn.
A funeral service to honor the life of Chris Darnell will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at SpringHill Baptist Church in Monroe, Oklahoma, with Daniel Darnell and Phil McGehee officiating. Burial will follow at Vaughn Cemetery in Gilmore, Oklahoma, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home in Poteau, Oklahoma.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Chris Lovell, Kenny Gream, Weston Gream, Jake Lovell, Rodney Darnell, Daniel Darnell, and Bobby Martin.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Tucker, Maverick Campbell, Kevin Fout, Nick Goff, Martin Timmermann, Michael Campbell, and Celo Gugliemi.
Online condolences can be left at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com
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