Daryl Eugene Blue, born Aug. 25, 1949 in Shelton, died Friday April 19 at his home in Lincoln. A teacher to hundreds, friend to hundreds more, he left a trail of learning, laughter and playfulness that is near mythical.
Whether in the classroom, mentoring his students, being grandpa supreme or beating a deadline with on-target grammar and accuracy for both the Lincoln Journal Star and the Omaha World Herald, Daryl had a joke, a story or political insight for all to behold.
Jokes, practical and otherwise, empathy and sympathy, honesty and sincerity, all marked the man who loved so many.
Blue is survived by Deb Hammond, sons Dwight (Maggi) of Warren, ME, Chris (Jess) of Berkeley, CA, and Sean (Angela) of Lincoln; stepchildren Leslie (Keith) Mann of Lincoln, T.J. (Jenni) Hammond of Peachtree, GA, and 11 Grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Darwin (Karen) of Lincoln and Duane (Theresa) of Ridgecrest, Cal., and sister Danece (Jim) Meyer of Blue Hill. He is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Ione Blue.
Blue, a 1971 Nebraska graduate, taught at Lincoln Northeast and Waverly and worked for the Lincoln Public Schools from 1972 to 2004.
He was one of the organizers of the NBDA (Nebraska Basketball Development Association), a member of Nebraska Alumni, head of the Shelton High School Hall of Fame and he Shelton Baseball Hall of Fame. He carried the nickname ‘Bulldog Blaster,’ as a fullback at Shelton High, ‘Bullet,’ in faculty basketball games and ‘Ice Blue,’ to close friends.
Blue worked with the Nebraska athletic department on the football stat crew. He also worked as a scorekeeper for local high school baseball games in recent years.
Celebration of life is scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Methodist, 84th and Pioneers, Lincoln. Wearing red is suggested in memory of Daryl’s great support of all things Husker.
Family visitation Wednesday 5-8 at Roper and Sons 44th and O, Lincoln. Visitation is open from 2-8 at Roper and Sons.
A celebration will be held after the services at the church, and later at the Knights of Columbus, 6044 South St.
Memorials may be sent to ‘In Memory of Daryl Blue,’ Pinnacle Bank, Lincoln.