Darrell Paul (Coach) Hoskins

Darrell Paul Hoskins
May 31, 1946 -  May 23, 2017
Darrell Paul “Coach” Hoskins, age 70, long time resident of Albany, Oregon passed peacefully from Earth to Heaven, May 23, 2017. Darrell “Paul” to family and childhood friends, was born the 2nd of 4 children to Darrell E. and Elisabeth L. (Bettie Pea) Hoskins in Lewiston, ID., May 31, 1946. He was preceded in death by both parents. Darrell is survived by sister, Barbara (Terry) Finley of Phoenix, AZ., brothers; Mike (Iva) Hoskins of Culdesac, ID., and Tim (Kim) Hoskins of Unity, OR.
Darrell is also survived by his wife of 51 years, Cleatis (Slape) Hoskins of Albany, OR.; his sons: Daniel (Rachelle) Hoskins of Albany, OR., Col. Brant (Janine) Hoskins of Dugway Proving Grounds, UT., Travis (Trisha) Hoskins of Albany, OR., Gregory (Adrienne) Hoskins of Albany, OR., daughter, Brittany (Laszlo) Novak of Albany, OR.,15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Darrell “Paul's” family moved from Lewiston, Id. to Prineville, OR., in 1950 where he attended local Christian and Crook County Schools. Always an athletic young man, Darrell lettered in wrestling, football and track before graduating Crook County High School in 1964. He entered Military service in November of 1964. Although trained for various occupations, he eventually wrestled and played football across Europe for the 7th Army. He was stationed in Germany during this time. Arriving home on leave in 1966, Darrell married Cleatis Elaine Slape on April 30, 1966, 31 days before he was deployed to Vietnam on his 20th birthday. One year later, Darrell returned home on a medical plane, greeted by spitting, screaming, rioting protesters. He had been forever changed due to bullet and shrapnel wounds, insect bites, sights, sounds and actions no human should endure. He was also exposed repeatedly to the deadly Agent Orange. For all this he earned 3 purple hearts and 1 bronze star.
Honorably discharged from the US Army in Nov 1967, Darrell settled with his wife in Pendleton, OR., where the first 4 of 5 children were born.  Darrell was employed by Woodpecker Truck until he moved his family to Albany, OR., in 1976.  He was employed by Pacific Autobody until Sept 1977 when a serious racing accident at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, OR., necessitated years of reconstructive surgeries, re-education and change of career. In between surgeries and classes, Darrell volunteered as a wrestling, football and boxing coach to dozens of young boys through the Albany Boys and Girls Club.
Darrell entered Linn Benton Community College in 1981, his daughter was born in 1982, and he graduated LBCC in 1984. Promptly hired by the Bureau of Mines (Albany Research Center) in Albany, OR., he remained employed until the ever encroaching disabilities associated with Agent Orange necessitated early retirement in May of 2008.
An upbeat and life-loving personality earned Darrell many nicknames in his lifetime. He was affectionately  called “Dogman” because he courageously patrolled with a dog in Vietnam. He was the “dancing Cowboy” to  the JP crowd, “Slim” to fellow employees, “PapaDude”to grandchildren, as well as the usual “Dad”, “Brother”, “Uncle” “Cousin”, etc. to various others.  However, Darrell's life took a dramatic change in November of 2012 when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  At his water baptism on Christmas Eve 2012, Darrell's Pastor declared him no longer “Dogman”. Instead, he would now be called “Godman”. Darrell had the name engraved on his new Bible to signify that he was now and forever “God's” man.
Darrell faced the last days of his life on earth wrapped in the profound peace and love of God. He kept all of us laughing and loving until he went home. We were blessed to be his family and friends.
Darrell's family extends profound gratitude to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice. Your many kindnesses and care of us and our loved one will never be forgotten. God bless all of you; you are loved.
The Darrell Hoskins family invites family and friends to a Celebration of Life Memorial at 2 p.m.  on Saturday, June 17 at Hope Church (formerly First Assembly of God), Albany.