Daryl Russell Grafious

Daryl Russell Grafious passed away peacefully on April 28, 2021 while sleeping in his room at the Sunshine Home in Torrance, California, following a recurrence of the liver cancer he had battled for the past ten years. He previously resided in Long Beach, California since 2003.

Born in El Monte, California, Daryl grew up the only child of Lester Palmer Grafious and Sarah Catherine Sellers in the family home on Victoria Street in La Puente. They moved to Indio, California for two years beginning December 7, 1941, where his father had been hired as a teacher but eventually worked to support the troops stationed in the area. This left Daryl with a lifelong love of the desert as well as an avid interest in the history WWII.

He graduated from La Puente High School in 1950 and maintained a lifelong friendship with many of his classmates, later putting together an eye-catching newsletter complete with pictures clipped from the National Enquirer.

Daryl graduated from Occidental College in 1954 and was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1955, where he served 21 months while stationed in Long Beach, California. It was in the Navy that he met his best friend Paul Perez. When they went into bars together, the pair were sometimes suspected of being undercover cops, leading to some funny stories.

Hired by the Los Angeles County Assessor's Office in 1960, Daryl held various positions until his retirement in 1994. At his retirement roast, coworkers regaled his family with tales of the days it was Daryl's turn to drive for the carpool. "It's okay to change lanes!" they advised. He was proud that he started driving as a barefooted boy of nine, and insisted that he was an excellent driver throughout his life, still scheming to reclaim his license up until his passing.

Daryl was an avid traveler, lover of music, photographer and film maker. He was one of the first to buy a Super 8 sound camera and projector. He wrote scripts for boat trips taken at Lake Powell with his children, which they publicly rehearsed to the chagrin, and later, amusement, of his children.

He also enjoyed writing, and many who have received his Christmas letters have saved them for future entertainment. The annual arrival of Grandpa D's letter would always trigger a cascade of phone calls among family members, particularly those who were featured.

Once retired, Daryl relocated to Forest, Virginia where he lived for five years. There he met many warm-hearted friends, learned to drive a tractor mower and enjoyed lunch and sweet tea with his friends at Carol's Diner.

Over his life he explored much of the United States and Canada, and visited many other countries including Mexico, Chile, Argentina, the Caribbean, Spain, England, Ireland, France, Israel and Turkey.

Daryl married Sharon Ellen Malin on June 5, 1959. They had three children and were divorced in 1964. In their later years, the two spent many family Christmas dinners reminiscing as they dined side-by-side.

Daryl met the love of his life, Sara, in 1979. The two reveled in living and enjoyed traveling the world together. They remained connected until his death.

Daryl is survived by daughters Sharyl Collin and Debra Morris, son Christopher Grafious, grandchildren Kristen Mangine Rhodes (Scott), Julian Mangine (Noemi), Andrew Collin, Jason Morris (Marissa), Joshua Morris and Anastasia Peterson Morris (Sven), step-grandson Kenny Collin and great-grandchildren Michael ("Mikey Russell" after Grandpa D), Jack and Weston Rhodes, Ava Mangine, Adam, Evan and Jared Morris, and Thorin and Lilli Peterson, and seven cousins.

Daryl also had a script for when he passed away. He would be escorted by two very beautiful angels. On arrival, he would hug his mother, and then head off to the bar for a drink with his Uncle Pete. He leaves behind many warm hearts and a treasury of memories.