Joe W. Darnall

Dr. Joe W. Darnall, 74, of Abilene, passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at Hendrick Medical Center. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, June 3 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, June 4 at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel. A memorial service, with Palmer McCown and Dr. Phil Christopher officiating, will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, June 6 at First Baptist Church. Joe was born January 15, 1937 in Waco, Texas to Joe Vitek and Kathryn Darnall Vitek. He graduated from Mart High School in Mart, Texas in 1955. He joyfully attended Baylor University where he received his B.A. in 1958, M.A. in 1962, and Ph.D. in 1966. He did post-doctoral study at the University of Indiana Medical School, Institute of Psychiatric Research from 1969-1970. Joe met his wife, Barbara Barber, on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1960 at a friend's house after church. They were married on December 19, 1964 at First Baptist Church in Waco. During their marriage they have lived in Wichita Falls, San Antonio, Waco, Lubbock, Indianapolis, IN, Denver CO and in Abilene for nearly 36 years. Joe was a Professor of Psychology and taught at Texas Tech University in Lubbock from 1966-1969; received a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Indiana Medical School from 1969-1970; taught at Metropolitan State College in Denver, CO from 1970-1975; and at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene from 1975 until his retirement in 2008. He was Head of the Psychology department for 19 years. In addition to his family and the many students he mentored through the years, Joe was most proud of two accomplishments. With two other men, he was responsible for bringing Goodwill Industries to Abilene and served on its first board. He was also a member of the first mission trip from First Baptist Church to their sister church and agricultural mission in Corrente, Brazil, where he assisted in the construction of a corral and participated in mission outreach. He was a member of the American Psychological Association, Southwestern Psychological Association and Abilene Psychological Association. He was also a member of the American Association of University Professors, Southwestern Teachers of Psychology and the Faculty Senate at Hardin-Simmons University. Joe has been a member of First Baptist Church in Abilene since 1975. Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam B. Darnall, and his parents, Joe and Kathryn Wincik and Joe and Rose Vitek. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; three children, Chuck Darnall, Sam Darnall and wife Patrice, and Amy-Katherine Ayla; a daughter-in-love, Krista Darnall; three grandchildren, Ashley, Adam and Nathan Darnall; and one great-grandchild, Madison Riley. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Mission Programs, 1333 North 3rd Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.