Marion-Darren L. Pulley, 50, passed away at 11:31pm on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at his home.
Darren was born on May 5, 1965 in Marion to Gary and Barbara (Dippie) Pulley. He was 1983 graduate of Marion High School and was a proud alum of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1989 and a Master of Science in Education degree in 1998. Darren also attended John A. Logan College where he received an Associate in Science Degree in 1985. While at JALC he played on the men’s tennis team for two years and was the Great Rivers Athletic Conference 1985 singles and doubles champion and received an All-Conference tennis award.
He was employed at John A. Logan College in the College’s Center for Business and Industry since 1992. Darren was a member and held leadership positions in many different area organizations and was heavily involved in the community. Some of the organizations and positions held include serving as vice-chairman of the Williamson County Airport Board; being a Board member of the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission; serving on the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Board (where he was Chairman of the Board in 2004); he was also a member of both the Herrin and Carterville Chambers of Commerce and was a Board Member of S.I. Connect.
Among the honors he received were the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce “Distinguished Member” Award for Outstanding Community Service; the “Leaders Among Us” award presented by the Southern Illinoisan newspaper Southern Business Journal and both a “Committed to Excellence” and “Center for Excellence” award from John A. Logan College.
Darren enjoyed watching his daughter play tennis and was very proud of her own accomplishments; attending SIU Football games with his daughter; doing yard work at his home; watching old reruns of 70s television shows and listening to music of that era and playing golf. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his daughter, Erica Pulley of Marion; parents, Gary and Barbara Pulley of Marion; brother, Eric Pulley of Marion and maternal grandmother, Janie Dippie of Marion.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John D. Bogard and Lucille Pulley-Bogard and Bob Dippie
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 14, 2015 at 11am at Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Rev. Scott Kallem officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 13, 2015 from 4pm-8pm at the funeral home.
Darren held a life-long love of John A. Logan College. As such, in lieu of flowers Darren’s family requests that donations be made to the John A. Logan College Foundation for the Darren L. Pulley Memorial Scholarship Fund and will be accepted at Blue Funeral Home/ 1704 N. Court St/ Marion, IL 62959. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.bluefuneralhome.com