Darrell B. Cress

U.S. Army
1979 - 2003
Operations Desert Shield,
Desert Storm & Just Cause

Master Sergeant Darrell Cress was a dedicated soldier. He loved his country
and served for 24 years with great pride.

The expanse of his military service covered several continents, including
serving in several tours of duty. His early years of service began at Fort Bragg, NC where for 13 years he served in 82nd Airborne Division and was a Jump Master Parachutist. He moved to Kitzingen, Germany for three years and then Heidelberg, Germany for four years.

After leaving Germany in 2000, Darrell relocated to Ft. Hood, Texas. He was assigned to the Cav as a 31U communication chief. Darrell retired in 2003 with full honors from the Army Communications Electronic Command (CECOM). He continued to work with CECOM after his retirement. While working at CECOM, he completed six-month deployments to the Middle East several times, and Germany/Poland, and change of duty station to Hawaii.

Darrell was passionate about his family and about basketball. He enjoyed spending time with his family and made sure his home was a haven of safety and love for his family and countless other children. His other passion was basketball. Darrell began playing basketball many years ago as a youth growing up in his hometown of Staten Island. He also enjoyed being a coach and mentor. Darrell was the point guard on the 1976-77 McKee High School varsity basketball team that won its first 23 games before losing a close one in, what is known today as the PSAL AA city championship game.

The circle of young men and women whom he coached and counseled crosses many states in the US and even extends to other continents. He was in the Future Star basketball program before he left for the Army.

Darrell was born June 3, 1958, in Staten Island, NY and passed away December 31, 2021, in Killeen, TX at 63 years old.

Sponsored by Carol Cress