Darrell Alvin Lenoir

Sunrise: December 5, 1957

Sunset: September 16, 2025

After a short illness, Darrell A. Lenoir transitioned on September 16, 2025, in Clermont, Florida, at the age of 67. Darrell was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and spent nearly every summer in Luthersville, Georgia until his late teens. He attended Dayton Public Schools and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1976.

In 1976, Darrell decided to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Army, where he served until 1981. While serving in the military, he met Gaye Hillegaart, and together they had three beautiful children: Teneka, Justin, and Jennifer Lenoir.

After his military service, Darrell earned an Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked in a variety of positions within the electrical field. The job he was most proud of was working in the nuclear field, where he had the opportunity to work on a new panel in Spring Water, Tennessee, requested by President Barack Obama. Darrell remained employed full time at the time of his transition.

Darrell’s favorite activity was grilling. He was a huge foodie, as well as a devoted Bengals and Reds fan. Many people didn’t know he was also a passionate history buff, with a deep love for both African and American history. Later in life, he was blessed to find the love of his life, Belinda Bell, whom he married.

Darrell and Belinda had just celebrated their 23rd anniversary. Through this union he gained three bonus children: Michael, Nathaniel, and Marquita.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alfonzo Lenoir; his mother, Willie Lou (Ford) Lenoir; his brother, Carl Lenoir; his grandmother, Mattie Lee Ford; and multiple other relatives too numerous to list.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Belinda Bell; his children Teneka Lenoir, Justin (Samantha) Lenoir, and Jennifer Lenoir; his bonus children Michael, Nathaniel, and Marquita (Lance); 16 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

I, Belinda Bell, would like to thank my neighbor Andre for befriending my husband and bringing him joy during his final days. He truly enjoyed your company — believe me, that’s saying a lot. The family would also like to thank Owens Corning for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in his final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service at Dayton National Cemetery, located at 4400 W. Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45428. Interment will follow at Dayton National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Darrell’s honor to Shriners.

To create a meaningful and unified celebration of Darrell’s life, we invite his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to wear black and white. We gently request that all other attendees wear burgundy.