Abel Roybal

Abel Darrel Roybal (best known as Darrel) stepped from this earthly life into the presence of God on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at the age of 75. He passed away in St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, CO.

Darrel was born on January 28, 1945 in Silverton, CO to Theodore and Ida Jaramillo Roybal. When he was 13 years old, the family moved to Montrose, CO where Darrel graduated from Montrose HS in 1964. Not long after high school, Darrel joined the U.S. Army and served from 1964 to 1967.

After his discharge from the Army, Darrel settled in Colorado Springs, worked in the construction industry, and also attended Pikes Peak Community College for 3 years. In the early 70's, Darrel began a 25-year career as a tool specialist for the Dana Spicer Corporation, which made clutches for semi-trailer trucks.

In 1989, at a K-Mart Store in Colo Spgs, a lady named Marian Decker was working in the Men’s Dept. when in walked Darrel needing to find a swimsuit to wear. Marian helped Darrel find the right swim apparel…and the rest is history! We believe God brought them together – an awesome blue light special! They began spending time together, fell in love, and on April 11, 1990, they were married!

In 2000, the Roybals moved to Grand Junction and found a lovely home on Dream Street on Orchard Mesa, just behind the 8th teebox at Chipeta Golf Course. Darrel loved living beside a golf course!

He was a fervent follower of Jesus Christ and was an active, much-loved member of Victory Life Church. He and Marian led small groups in their home and in the homes of others; they attended Sunday School classes, and actively participated in Sunday morning and Wednesday evening church activities. Darrel was also part of a volunteer team that places visitor cards, prayer cards, offering envelopes, and sermon note cards in the backs of the seats in the VLC Worship Center. He loved reading and studying the Bible, and could be described best as a Holy Spirit-filled man with a servant’s heart!

Darrel and Marian have always loved missions and have spent time in foreign countries in past years helping various missionaries. In one instance, they lived in Mexico for four months helping with revival services in which people were healed and baptized in the Holy Spirit. They also actively supported the missions program of Victory Life Church.

Darrel’s other interests included fishing, RVing, camping, golfing, playing softball in his earlier days on the Dana Spicer company teams, plus watching NASCAR races!! He was a super NASCAR fan!

Surviving him are his wife of thirty years – Marian Roybal of Grand Jct., CO;

Two sisters – Dianna Franks of Austin, TX, and Marlene Ross of Colo Spgs, CO;

Five brothers – Ted Roybal of Colo Spgs, CO; Frank Roybal of Las Vegas, NV;

Bob Roybal of Red Cloud, NE; Don Roybal of Colo Spgs, CO, and Sherman Roybal of Divide, CO;

One son – Dean Schmidt of Key West, FL;

Two daughters – Anita Trichel of Pittsburgh, PA, and Royella Metzger of Columbiana, OH;

Six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren;

Many, many nieces and nephews, plus other extended family members;

PLUS he leaves behind a large church family that loved him dearly and will miss his eager smile and genuine heart of love. Heaven will be a great reunion!

Darrel will be buried with full military honors in a service at 10:00 am on Monday, August 24, at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Grand Junction, CO. Family and friends are welcome at that service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial donations be made to Victory Life Church Missions.