Darrell Lightner

Darrell Paul Lightner

Darrell Paul Lightner, beloved husband, father, papa and friend, passed away on August 13, 2024, in Oklahoma City, OK. He was born on February 25,1943, to Roy and Hazel Lightner of Wheatland, OK.

Darrell grew up on a farm tilling the land, bucking hay and riding horses with his brothers and sister. He was a graduate of Central High School. Darrell served in the U.S. Army as an airborne ranger and at the command of President Lyndon Johnson, was deployed to the Dominican Republic as part of Operation Power Pack an effort to intervene in civil war as well as confront concerns regarding a communist takeover of the region.

Darrell launched his 50 plus years, as a groceryman, at the age of 15 and opened his first of many independent grocery stores, Lightner's Discount Foods, in 1979 in Chickasha, OK. Never forgetting his humble beginnings, and with a heart for providing his customers with affordable food, Darrell focused on his lifelong, "four-for-a-dollar", discount pricing strategy. Customers drove for hundreds of miles to stock up on price busting deals. Darrell was also one of the owners and a board member of Farm Fresh Dairies and Bakeries. He also served as a trustee at his church.

As a lover of the great outdoors, Darrell was a big game and upland bird hunter who enjoyed sharing his passion with his sons and grandsons. Golf was one of his favorite pastimes as well as attending any NFL game where his favorite player, Stephen Alexander, was on the field. He was known for bragging about catching the largest fish whether on a farm pond, lake or Alaskan reservoir. He loved cars and was an active member of the antique auto club. He loved international travel, but nothing impacted his life more than being baptized in the Jordan River in Israel and serving on a mission trip to Mexico. Darrell loved cooking breakfast at the church for the men's fellowship, the high school football teams and cheerleading squads, chaperoning for the church bus ministry and being the "water boy" at youth camps.

Darrell was a committed family man, a fiercely loyal friend, an incredibly generous giver, a great listener, an influential leader, successful businessman and deeply devoted follower of his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Darrell is survived by his wife, Marquetta Lightner; children, Stephanie (Ray) Sanders, Trevor Lightner, Drew Lightner, and Melissa Lightner; grandchildren, Lauren-Elaine (Matt) Hunt, Olivia (Brad) Yocum, Joshua (Makenzy) Sanders, Hunter Lightner, Isaac (Lauren) Sanders, Emily-Rose (Heston) Hill, and Sophia-Rae Sanders; great-grandchildren, Ellie and Noah Hunt, Rhea, Luke, Corra, and Jacob Levy, Will and Jack Yocum, Hank and Josie Sanders. Stepchildren; Lynette (Bob) Martin, LaRita (Jim) Sullivan; step-grandchildren, Jason (Katherine) Kent, Catylin Sullivan, Erin (Steven) Hurdle, Sean (Sabrina) Sullivan; step-great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Colt Kent, Calin and Conner Johnson, Zackary and Madolyn Hurdle.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Hazel Lightner; brothers, Bob, Carl, and Ronnie Lightner and sister, Lucy Pepin and his son, Darrell Paul Lightner, II.

A visitation to honor Darrell's life will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Sevier Funeral Home in Chickasha, OK. A celebration service, honoring Darrell's life will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Bible Baptist Church in Chickasha, OK. Committal service will be held at Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home.

The family requests that in leu of flowers, donations be made to youth or missions ministries of Bible Baptist Church, www.bbcchickasha.net