Darell James Herbst

Darell James Herbst, 84, of Cross Roads, Texas, passed away on March 20, 2026, after leaving a lasting legacy of faith, service, and love. He looked forward to the day when he would be called to his heavenly home. He was born on May 16, 1941, the eldest son of the late Herman and Freda Herbst of Brighton, Colorado. Darell is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Janice Marlene Herbst, his son Marc Christopher Herbst, son Erik Matthew Herbst and wife Jill Marie Herbst, his grandchildren Gretchen Elise Herbst and Ryan Augustan Herbst, his brother Charles Herbst and wife Karen Herbst, his sister Cindy Harvey, along with nieces, Stephanie, Heather, Shelly, Meredith, and nephew Matt, and his devoted sister-in-law, Sue Snellenberger. Darell’s early years were spent helping on the family farms and attending local schools in the Brighton, Colorado area. He received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from The University of Colorado in Boulder and entered the Air Force ROTC program. He was assigned to The University of Michigan for his graduate degree in Industrial Engineering. It was there that he met Jan at the Lutheran Student Center and they married in 1966. Their first year of marriage found Captain Herbst stationed at Campion Air Force Station, a remote radar site in Alaska. Upon his return, they were sent to Wright Patterson AFB in Fairborn, Ohio. In 1969, Darell was recruited by Ross Perot’s fledgling company, Electronic Data Systems, in Dallas, Texas. His eldest son Marc, was born in 1970 and Erik three years later. These were busy years as Darell held various positions as a systems engineer in Medicare, later manager of Manpower Training, creating processes for smoothing out the supply of systems engineers. He designed and wrote one of the earliest artificial intelligence systems which was later used as a medical differential diagnosis engine. Darell later served as Industrial Engineering Manager in EDS’ Productivity Services, overseeing a team of 10-15 engineers which became responsible for reengineering Customer Processes, showing how Information Technology could be used to automate clerical processes in the Insurance, Banking, and Manufacturing Industries. At EDS Darell earned a reputation for finding and developing unique solutions to difficult and intractable problems. In 1999, Darell left EDS to become President of PT Consulting Partners with his partner, Buck Bodwell. Over the next 25 years Darell built and maintained over 250 websites for small businesses. Many of the websites represented the first ever built for that type of business. Darell and Buck closed their business in 2024, taking the time to make sure each customer had full control of their website. Despite having to travel within the states and internationally for EDS, Darell devoted time and energy as a Scoutmaster of Troop 106, guiding both sons to Eagle Scout. He loved camping, hiking, cooking outdoors, leading devotions with the Scouts, visiting historic sites such as Shiloh National Military Park, backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch and participating in National Scout Jamborees and summer camps. The camaraderie with other Scouters forged lifelong friendships. Even after his retirement, Darell continued to work with the Scouts, helping establish a troop in West Dallas. His devotion to serving others continued with his Deacon position with Park Cities Presbyterian Church, singing in the Church choir, teaching First Grade boys Sunday School with Jan, discipling in the community through Evangelism Explosion. He was always available to spend time with his sons Marc and Erik, fostering their unique gifts in science fields and music, encouraging them to pursue their particular interests. He assisted with science projects, provided summer travel experiences, and helped them establish their business, The Panhandle House in Denton, spending weekends and vacation days remodelling the studio during its early years. He was always proud of his sons, in all of their endeavors and in each one’s definitive talents. Darell loved his grandchildren immensely and spent countless hours with them geocaching, visiting museums, zoos, camping, playing games, taking short trips, and later, tutoring. He found time to research his family’s genealogy back to the 1500’s. He never ceased learning more about theology and the Civil War… books were always part of his life… the humorous tales of Patrick McMannes supplied much laughter! Ever ready to help his friends and neighbors, Darell gave six years as treasurer to the Oak Shores HOA, doled out doggie treats to all the local dogs on his walks, loved taking Spring drives with Jan to collect bulbs and native plants to plant in their yard. He built a garden cottage for Jan with his son Marc, restoring 100 year old windows to use in the cottage, helped design their house and specifically the perfect kitchen for Jan. Darell and Jan loved to travel and were blessed to have been able to see much of the world. Our family has been amazingly blessed by this Godly, gifted man! He is and will be greatly missed, but we know we will be with him someday, eternally. Praise be to God! Our family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at Medical City in Denton, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team at Medical City in Denton, Denton Village nurses, therapists, and aides, and Uplifted Hospice for all their care and expertise, all those who gave his/her best to Darell from September 3, 2025 to March 20, 2026. In lieu of flowers and to honor Darell, donations can be made to the Park Cities Presbyterian Church Concert Series or the PCPC Missions Ministry. A memorial service to celebrate Darell’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, April 10, 2026 at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, 4124 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75219. Darell will be interred at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Darell James Herbst

May 16, 1941 - March 20, 2026