Darrell Dee Latham, of Stockton, KS, passed away on March 4, 2024, at the Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, at the age of 86. He was born on June 18, 1937, to Edward and Lorna (McCarty) Latham in Washington, KS. Dee married Sheila (Lynd) Latham on September 1, 1963, in Smith Center, KS. They were blessed with two sons: Lance and Heath.
Dee grew up in Republican City, NE and graduated from Republican City High School in 1955. Dee was drafted into the U.S. Army after high school and served in Germany and Vietnam. After his military service, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at Fort Hays University.
Dee taught math and physics at Unified School District #271 in Stockton for nearly four decades. He loved to teach and always said that “everything is mathematical.” Through teaching, he inspired, mentored, and shaped the lives of generations of students. He expected everyone to give their best, and for that effort would come his support and mutual respect.
After retirement, he continued tutoring many students, to whom he would say the only way to learn math is to do math; and that math is essential to life, it is all around you.
He was a member of the American Legion, V.F.W., and Congregational Church. He was a fixer and a worker who enjoyed farming in his spare time and was always working on a project around the house.
Dee was a man of value, character, and integrity with a servant’s heart. His love, his intelligence, his faith, and his compassion helped raise an amazing family and impacted the lives of all who knew him. He never gave up on his family, his students, or his country.
Dee is survived by his wife, Sheila Latham of the home in Stockton; sons, Lance Lynd (Sue) Latham of Tulsa, OK and Heath Edward (Shannon) Latham of Overland Park, KS; five grandchildren, Jacob Mandel, Carson Latham, Emma Latham, Jayden Latham, and Kailyn Latham.
Preceding Dee in death are his parents, Edward and Lorna; and brother, Richard (Mary Alyce) Latham.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Stockton Church of Restoration on Friday, March 29, 2024, at 10:30AM. Burial with military honors will follow at 2:30PM at the Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery in WaKeeney, KS. Visitation will be Thursday 4-6PM at the funeral home in Stockton.
Memorials are suggested to Solomon Valley Manor or Kansas Honor Flight and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669.