Darrell J Sekin, Jr.

Darrell Joseph Sekin, Jr., beloved husband and father, lifelong Texan, better than average golfer, and enthusiastic traveler, arrived at his heavenly destination on March 23, 2024.

The eldest of five siblings, Darrell was born in Galveston, Texas on September 3, 1950. He was proud to be “BOI” and never felt more at home than when he could hear the surf and taste salt air on his upper lip.

Darrell’s family moved to north Texas in 1955. He met his wife of nearly 53 years, Marty, just a couple of years after he graduated from Irving High School. The two married right after Marty’s graduation and counted themselves as a family of four within five years. Tina and Melissa adored their father, and he adored them. Rarely if ever did Darrell miss one of his daughters’ softball games, dance recitals, plays, speech competitions, or concerts. And he never missed sizing up and staring down those who dared to date his daughters. Thankfully, Melissa and Tina both married men who treat them with the same mutual respect, love, and caring that Darrell and Marty embodied during their blessed union.

Darrell began working at the customs brokerage firm that his father founded while still in high school. After the company was sold, Darrell and Marty hung out their own shingle in 1985. They and other family members built DJS International Services into one of the nation’s most successful independently owned freight forwarding firms. Darrell was a leader in his industry for decades and served as president of the National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association from 2012-2014. He earned the respect of his peers, many of whom became the closest of friends.

Work took Darrell around the world. Marty often accompanied Darrell on trips to meet overseas partners and attend industry conferences. The two also enjoyed traveling for leisure, especially when accompanied by family members or groups of friends. Darrell loved being part of “The Scumbags,” a cabal of seemingly respectable middle-aged men who hooked drives, hit into the rough, and raised a ruckus at courses across North America.

Over the past two years, Darrell fought an unspeakably brutal battle against pancreatic cancer. He defied the odds, exemplified courage under fire, and was ever mindful of God’s grace. Chemotherapy was barbaric, but Darrell’s faith and tenacity enabled him to make the most of the time afforded to him. Between his diagnosis and death, Darrell attended the college graduations of his two eldest grandchildren, witnessed his youngest grandchild’s commission to the U.S. Military Academy, cheered on the Black Knights at the annual Army-Navy men’s soccer game, enjoyed a summer of golf in Colorado, embarked on an Alaskan cruise, traveled to Wyoming for the first time, saw George Strait in concert one last time, celebrated his long-suffering Texas Rangers’ World Series win, and participated in many Sunday family dinner nights.

Darrell’s parents, Joe and Rita Sekin, along with his grandparents, aunts, and uncles, finished their earthly journeys ahead of him. Darrell is survived by his wife Marty, daughters Tina and Melissa, sons-in-law Rick and David, grandchildren Matthew, Bailey, and Jack; siblings Gerri, Paul, Mary Jo, and Chris; nieces, nephews, and countless dear friends who feel more like family.

A funeral mass will be held at Darrell’s home parish of Good Shepherd Catholic Community, 1000 Tinker Rd., Colleyville TX, at 1 p.m. April 12. A reception will follow at Timarron Country Club. The family invites those interested to make memorial donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network ( http://support.pancan.org/goto/SekinStrong ).