Darrell was born in Monahans, TX and moved to California with his family as a boy. After graduating Oroville High School as a football star, Darrell briefly played football at Butte College before he began to learn the fire sprinkler trade by apprenticing under his father, Truman. Darrell worked for nearly 40 years as a fire sprinkler fitter leaving his mark on many commercial buildings in the Bay Area before retiring in 2009. Over the years, Darrell had many thrill-seeking hobbies including flying airplanes, riding motorcycles, free-diving for abalone, skiing, and playing baseball or racquetball. Since his retirement, Darrell enjoyed shooting and collecting guns, throwing darts, riding quads, watching Westerns, and reading “many books a day”.

Darrell is survived by his loving wife, Diana Lynn; devoted children Dale & Miho Montgomery (Reno), Joy & Tim Barrett (Grass Valley), Victoria Montgomery (Clyde), Evan & Kayla Montgomery (Palmer, AK), and Kaitlyn Montgomery (Stockton); granddaughter Madison Barrett (Grass Valley); sister & brother-in-law Katrina & Ellis King (Lodi); and mother Nadene Montgomery (Lodi). He is preceded in death by his Father Truman Montgomery. His generous spirit and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.