Families travel life’s pathways experiencing highs and lows, mountains and valleys. Through the journey, God knits us together, producing many blessed experiences and memories. When a member of the family departs this life, he or she leave behind a legacy inevitably impacting the family and its future. On August 13, 2020, the Lord called Darrell Victor Beddoe home to heaven. Darrell was family — father to our son-in-law David Beddoe, father-in-law to our older daughter Deborah, and grandfather to four of our shared grandchildren: Katharine, Calvin, George (who shares Darrell’s middle name), and Henry.
We shared in the officiating of the marriage between David and Deborah at Placerita Baptist Church in Newhall, CA — a church his brother Dick Beddoe had pastored for a time back in the 1970’s. Because Darrell served on the board of The Master’s University and Master’s Seminary, we normally got to see each other at least twice a year in Los Angeles. Those were wonderful times of fellowship, sharing in a common interest and ministry, and always talking about the family we joyfully shared. Many family gatherings also connected us — especially for graduations. Three of the pictures in this post represent high school graduations. Two of them show us standing together with a grandchild. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 resulted in the youngest grandchild Henry participating in a virtual graduation. Grandson Henry, accompanied by his Aunt Anna on the piano, sang “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” at the memorial service held in the church Darrell pastored for over 30 years, Whitney Baptist Church of Boise, ID.
Darrell Victor Beddoe was born April 2, 1941. He and Ruthanne (Ruhlman) were married for 57 years (wedding date, June 22, 1963, in Eastgate, WA). Born in Tacoma, WA, Darrell’s parents were Victor Lee Beddoe and Hazel Marguerite (Evenson) Beddoe. He earned his B.A. degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, WA and his M.Div. from Los Angeles Baptist Seminary in Newhall, CA. After both Darrell and Ruthanne finished degrees in 1966, they moved to Snohomish, WA. There, Darrell was ordained as pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church. In 1975 Darrell transferred to the pastorate of Whitney Baptist Church in Boise, ID. After leaving Whitney Baptist and moving to Washington, he served Regular Baptist congregations and pastors in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho for ten years as Regional Pastor for Baptist Network Northwest. In addition to serving on the TMU/TMS board, Darrell also served on boards for Corban University of Salem, OR, the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE), and Camp Pinewood of McCall, ID. When Ruthanne retired from teaching in 2015, they left Washington to return to Boise.
Darrell’s surviving family includes his wife Ruthanne and four children: Paul Beddoe (Ron DiGregorio) of Washington, DC, Pastor David (Deborah) Beddoe of Poulsbo, WA, Sarah Beddoe of São Paolo, Brazil, and Anna (Caleb) Simpson of Boise. Also, he has the four grandchildren mentioned above: Katharine, George, and Henry Beddoe of Poulsbo, WA and Calvin Beddoe of Boise. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Joanne Beddoe of Red Bluff, CA, Nancy Ruhlman of Mount Vernon, WA, and Kaylene (Joel) Jeffers, and brother-in law Pastor Thomas (Becky) Ruhlman of Shoreline, WA, stepsisters Barbara (Tom) Hill of Tacoma, WA and Mae (Doyle) Boyington of Spanaway, WA, and stepbrother Dave Bennett of Gig Harbor, WA. He also leaves behind a number of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. A family graveside service was held at Morris Hill Cemetery, Boise, Idaho.
The psalmist wrote, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones” (Psalm 116:15). This Jesus-loving, people-loving, gentle, and compassionate man served His Savior faithfully. He has heard those wonderful words from Jesus Himself, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23). Darrell will be missed by all of us who remain this side of heaven. One day, however, we will unite again in our Savior’s glorious presence to sing praise to our Lord.
The memorial service link can be found on the Whitney Baptist Church livestream.