Dearl Dean Britzman was born May 21, 1951, in Bucyrus, Mo., to Amos and Tressie Arthur Britzman. Dearl passed away in his sleep, on May 3, 2016, next to his loving wife Carol.
Dearl grew up in the Bucyrus area as a young boy. Dearl learned the value of hard work from his father and mother. He also inherited his father’s skill at building, engineering and problem solving.
Around the age of 10 or 11 years, Dearl asked his father if he could build his own motorcycle. Amos allowed Dearl to tear apart an old chainsaw and somehow connect it to his bicycle –– and it worked. At 11 years old, Dearl took his newly built motorcycle out for its first and only ride. Needless to say, Dearl crashed that homemade motorcycle with his need for speed, but that didn’t matter, so guess what Dearl did? He built it. This single-minded determination to figure out how something works and how to make it better for his use, never left him.
Dearl attended Houston High School and then married his sweetheart, Carol Kirkwood, on Sept. 15, 1967. They would soon have three girls, Darlene, Lesia and Karen. While supporting his family, Dearl learned and excelled at every aspect of his father’s business. He routinely delivered pallets all over the state and quite often had a daughter in the 18 wheeler on these short runs.
As Dearl became older, his skills as mechanic, carpenter, engineer and welder improved. His skill and ability became such that for relaxation and fun, he would fix antique clocks and railroad watches. Dearl Dean Britzman could not only fix anything, but he could take something and make it better than what it was originally. He was not a stranger to hard work, because providing for the family that he loved was his number one priority in life.
Dearl Britzman was preceded in death by his father, Amos, and his mother, Tressie.
Dearl leaves behind his loving wife, Carol Kirkwood Britzman; and his daughters, Darlene (Bobby) Starner, Lesia (Eric) Bethel, and Karen (Greg) Snyder. He is further survived by six grandchildren, Erin L. Carroll, Alayna Starner (Michael Glass), James (Samantha) Faherty, Kiley (Christopher) Wilson, Malina Starner and Xenia Starner. He leaves behind his brother, Roy (Elaine) Britzman, and his sister, Eulene (Albert) Atterberry.
After Dearl retired from Britzman Lumber Company, he and Carol spent many years touring Missouri on their Goldwing motorcycle, spending time with those he loved, and watching crops grow that he planted in the earth with his strong and calloused hands. His phrase lately was, “My goal was to get done, I’m finally done.”
Dearl Britzman loved his family.
Graveside services were 11 a.m. Thursday, May 5, 2016, at White Rock Cemetery with David Arthur officiating. Pallbearers were Eric Bethel, Greg Snyder, Robert Starner, Chris Dumas, Carl Britzman and James Faherty. Services were under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Animal Shelter of Texas County. To send an online condolence, go to www.evansfh.com.
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