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Darrell Biggerstaff
Published 1/8/2013 in Obituaries
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In Loving Memory
Darrell "The Highway Skater" Biggerstaff died Thursday, January 3rd, at Garden City, Kan.
Darrell was the second child and only son born to Eugene and Mary Carol (Fain) Biggerstaff. Darrell was born on Jan. 26, 1956, in Liberal. Darrell attended Liberal schools. His first employment was with Taco Tico. He then worked at Ideal Food stores. Darrell will be forever remembered for his quick wit, great sense of humor and his impish grin. As a teenager, Darrell would amaze his sisters and the neighborhood kids with his acrobatic abilities, walking on different heights of stilts, some so tall he would have to get on the roof of the house to walk on. In his teenage and adult years, you would often see Darrell at the local skating rink doing tricks on his skates. When he was 23, he decided to hitch hike to Dodge City to skate at their rink only to find it closed when he got there. Tired of walking back home to Liberal, he put on his skates and started skating down the highway only to be pulled over by a KHP. He was given a ticket for walking on the highway which Darrell argued even in court that he was not walking but skating and there was no law against it, so he should not have to pay the fine. The judge threw out the charge. Darrell's skating story made the national news and even abroad. Johnny Carson even talked about it on his nightly monologue. That is how he became known as the Highway Skater. Darrell loved the story and would repeat it often. Darrell never met a stranger, teasing people as only Darrell can with a laugh that no one could mimic. Darrell would often be seen in town finding scrap metal that he would take down to Liberal Iron and Metal to make a few bucks. After a diagnosis of Schizophrenia, he moved to Garden City in 1991, living in a group home, then by himself, back in a group home again. The last group home now being void of Darrell will be a lot quieter.
Darrell will be greatly missed. Darrell is survived by his mother, Carol Biggerstaff; sisters, Donetta Davis and husband Chuck, Diane Radney, Madrid, Iowa, and nieces, Nikki and Stevie Keeton; numerous other nieces and nephews; and a host of friends from the Garden City Area Mental Health. He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur Biggerstaff; his sister and confidante, Denise Biggerstaff; a nephew, Michael Temple; a niece, Amanda Cortinas; and his grandparents, Jerome and Gladys Fain and Lena Vermillion.
Cremation has already taken place with a private burial at a later date. We love you Darrell and miss you.
Darrell's family would like to thank Garden City Area Mental Health Center, and all the residents and support staff at Darrell's home on Labrador. You all were so special to Darrell and also to us. You all took such great care of Darrell, you are part of his family, too. Thanks also to the Finney County Emergency Medical Services and the St. Catherine Hospital staff and ICU.
Found 2 comment(s)!
Darrell
I am so sorry to hear of your lost. I remember Darrell from school. My thoughts and prayers for your family. Diana Lagunas
Posted by: Diana Arras on 1/10/2013
Memories of Darrell
I did not Darrell, but the memories you shared of him were very nice and brought a smile to my face. Sending prayers to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
Posted by: Sheryl on 1/8/2013