Help Honor the Life of Darvin Leroy Grade Jr.

On July 13th at 8:57 AM, our beloved Darvin Leroy Grade Jr. passed away unexpectedly due to a aorta aneurysm. He fought as hard as he could, but ultimately, his body could no longer keep up the battle.

Darvin was a truly special soul—humble, selfless, and full of life. He was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back, even in the freezing cold, just to make sure someone else was warm. He made friends wherever he went, always had a story to tell, and could bring a smile to anyone’s face with his quick wit and unforgettable sense of humor.

Darvin was a devoted father to his son James Grade, a loving father-in-law, and an amazing pawpaw to his grandson Oliver. He was a proud brother to his surviving sister Teri and held close the memory of his late brother Rusty. He was a dreamer, a pro bowler, and a master of BBQ—known for giving out free food just to make sure his community was fed. He adored his cats, cherished his family, and always put others before himself. He dreamed big, loved hard, and lived humbly.

We are hoping to raise $6,000 to help cover:

His cremation and funeral service expenses.

One month of costs to maintain Darvin’s trailer so we have time to go through his belongings and begin the process of closure.

Any debt or expenses that may have been incurred by his son while trying to manage Darvin’s care and arrangements.

So many generous friends and loved ones have reached out asking how they can help. In response, we’ve created this GoFundMe to give anyone who wants to honor Darvin a way to contribute. Every donation—no matter the amount—means the world to us and will go directly toward celebrating his life and easing the burden during this painful time.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support, your prayers, and for loving Darvin as much as we do. He truly left a mark on every heart he touched.

With love and gratitude,

The Grade Family