Darrell Small is Stockton’s Peony Festival Grand Marshal

For many years, people knew spring had arrived in Stockton when they heard the sound of Darrell Small’s mower start up signaling the beginning of the lawnmowing season. For over twelve years Darrell mowed hundreds of lawns for his customers from April through November, starting in the early morning until the jobs scheduled for that day were done.

Darrell, who doesn’t know a stranger, has been a staple in the community since he and his wife, Margie, were married in Logan on November 14th, 1958, and moved to Stockton at that time. They raised their two children, Jeff and Jodi, while Darrell worked for the Rooks County Dairy when he first came to town, and then as the school’s custodian for eighteen years.

But to anyone who knows him, once Darrell retired from his position at the school he wanted something else to do to keep busy and saw the need for a lawn mowing service. That meant he was off and running, or should we say, walking behind a mower, riding a mower, trimming, edging and bagging. For quite of few of those mowing years Darrell’s sidekick was Nolan Weiser, and who knows how many thousands of miles those two walked during that time! Also, Darrell’s son, Jeff, was on hand to help out when Darrell needed an extra hand.

Darrell always kept good equipment to take care of all types of lawns. He said there were easy jobs intertwined with the hard jobs, so in the end it all evened out. Also, the work schedule was varied with Darrell mowing some yards once a week or once a month depending on the type of grass and weather conditions. And once the season was over, Darrell serviced all his equipment and had them primed and ready for the next year.

So is it any wonder that Darrell was asked to be Stockton’s Peony Parade Grand Marshal? Darrell said, “I was very surprised when the Chamber asked me.” But it was only a surprise to him since he is well-known and wellloved by just about everyone in town, and has kept quite a number of lawns in town in tiptop condition for quite a few years.

Darrell’s family, which includes not only Jeff and Jodi, but three grandchildren and three great-granchildren, are all working on trying to come home so everyone can enjoy his special day together. And when his friend Donna heard the news about Darrell being Grand Marshal, she said, “You aren’t keeping me away from that celebration!”

Stockton’s Peony Festival is this Saturday, May 21st. Make plans now to attend the daylong event celebrating spring, and make sure to take in the parade with Darrell leading the way!