Darryl Gregory Russell was born in Dayton, Ohio on June 28 ^th , 1970 . According to his mother, he stopped to take a little nap  mid-birth  and this  set  the  precedent for the way he would live his life, slow and easy, on his time, in his way and on his terms.

Darryl was a big guy, almost larger than life.  But he had to be big, because his heart was so big, it needed a large portal to contain it. Darryl was a gentle giant, full of life, love, and compassion.                                                                 Darryl never met  a stranger and was everybody's friend. According to  his sisters, he was a spoiled rotten mama's boy with a heart of gold. He was a poet, a scholar, a master story-teller, a writer, a fighter and a scamp. Throughout his life Darryl was a professional comedian, a DJ, a masterful MC and at one time had a thriving career as Donut the Clown. He was an avid animal lover. He was lyrical and musical, writing poetry and songs, making beats and music in the studio and inspiring others. He had a unique wit and an amazing sense of humor, often seeing the little things in life that others overlooked. His intuition and perception allowed him to  see what people needed and provide it without hesitation whether it was a joke, a hug or just a reassuring look.  Darryl loved to talk, fish and spend time with his friends.        If Darryl was there, a party was sure to follow.

Darryl was a graduate of Friendly High School in Fort Washington MD, where he starred on the football team. He was a hard-working, dedicated employee at Nestle/Dryers for over 15 years.

He is preceded in death by his sweet son Nasir Waleed Russell and his beloved mother Eloise Russell. Those left to cherish his memory include his father, Bobby Russell, sisters Dana Nemecek and Karla Russell, nephews Travis Lee Russell and Kolin Nemecek, nieces Keira Nemecek, Kiana Nemecek and Tori-Lynn Russell. He also leaves behind his loving partner Angela Bolling and her family, along with so many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends that there is not enough paper or time to name them all.

Darryl impacted the life of every person he encountered and his unexpected departure from our lives will be deeply felt for a long time coming but our memories of  Darryl will always bring a smile to  our  faces and a warm feeling to our hearts because that is who he was, a beautiful spirit and heart-warming soul.

Thank you Lord for blessing me, Thank you lord for testing me. Thank you, to all of you who looked down and thought less of me. Thank you to all the cops who arrested pressed and questioned me. Thank you to all the women I've loved and lost for stressing me.  Thank you Mama for the food, changing diapers and dressing me. Thank you to all my enemies 'cuz you brought out the best in me. Thank you Pops for the cash when no one else would invest in me. Lord thank you for my best friends...this shit's for him especially.  Thank you to everyone who got me from where I was to my destiny. I'm hoping I have done enough for them gates to open like sesame. D RUSS