Darrell Burch Sullenger Jr. was born on March 17, 1931, in Tulsa, Okla., the son of Darrell Burch Sullenger and Clara (Robertson) Sullenger. "Sully," as he was affectionately known, passed from this life in Broken Arrow, Okla. on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the age of 93.

Darrell graduated from Keystone High School in 1948. He played basketball and worked after school in Mr. Lang's grocery store. He ended up at Northeastern State College (now Northeastern State University) when a friend's mother offered to drive them to the campus with her son. Darrell and a few other friends tagged along, paid the $5 housing fee, and started college at NSC. Darrell graduated from Northeastern in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He was Vice President of his junior class and a member of the Phi Lambda Chi fraternity.

After graduation he went directly into the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Georgia, where he served for two years. Darrell was then employed by Sinclair Oil & Gas from 1954 until it merged with Atlantic Richfield in 1969, and continued working with the successor company until his retirement in 1990. During his 36 years of service, he held several key positions, including stints in the planning department budget groups.

Darrell married the love of his life, Alexandra "Sandra" Cherry Sayles, on April 1, 1960 in Tulsa. During much of his working life, Darrell and Sandra lived in Dallas, TX, where he supported the Dallas Junior Achievement Program, becoming an advisor to that group.

Darrell was a lifetime member of the NSU Alumni Association, an active member of the NSU Athletics Association, serving on its executive committee, and he was inducted into the NSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005 for Meritorious Service. He also enjoyed playing golf with his many NSU friends. Darrell co-founded the NSU Fast Forties alumni group, was a consistent President's Circle donor to NSU, and was as a member of the NSU Foundation Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2023, serving as the Foundation's secretary-treasurer for many years.

Because of his long-time support and service to NSU, Darrell was named NSU Distinguished Alumnus in 2015 and an NSU Centurion in 2022. Darrell was an avid NSU advocate and volunteer who loved to help raise funds for his alma mater. Darrell's generosity has directly touched the lives of many at NSU, including through the endowed Darrell & Sandra Sullenger Scholarship, and he was a member of the NSU Foundation's Sequoyah Society and Guardian Society.

Darrell enjoyed collecting Native American art and antique bricks. He loved to fish and volunteered for Animal Aid of Tulsa. He adored cats, with Tarzan being his favorite. Darrell also enjoyed gathering Sullenger family history, as he was proud of his Irish ancestry.

Darrell treasured his many friends and loved to attend NSU sporting events and social activities. His greatest pride, however, was his family. He is survived by his nieces, Carol Hatton and husband Tom, and Kay Bay and husband Glen Coburn; his nephew, Albert Bay and wife Peggy; his cousin Charlye Miller; and his soulmate, Billie Sue Thompson.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Darrell and Clara Sullenger; his wife, Sandra Sullenger; his sister, Ellen Lorraine Sullenger; and his son, John Scott.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the NSU Foundation, 812 N Cedar Ave, Tahlequah, OK 74464 or www.nsugiving.com/donate and note "Sullenger memorial gift" on the memo line or "in memory of" box on the online form.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 9, at 11:00 am, at the NSU-Broken Arrow Campus, in the Annex Room of the Administrative Services Building, 3100 E New Orleans, Broken Arrow, OK. A reception will follow.