IRgA and the reprographics industry mourn the passing of Darris McCord, a former member of the Detroit Lions and a major player in the reprographics industry. McCord passed away October 9.
Here is his Memoriam:
Darris McCord resident of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Hillsboro Beach, Florida passed away on October 9th, 2013 in the serenity of his home, comforted by loving and devoted family. Known for his courage and dignity in life, Darris bravely went to meet his Heavenly Father. Survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen (nee Faddis), and his children: Vickie (Sherman Sawtelle), Michael (Janice Clancy) and Kelli (Mark Schwartz). His adoring grandchildren will dearly miss “Papa”: Darris Sawtelle, Michael, Riley and Megan McCord, and Katelin and Jessica Schwartz.
His immense love and compassion for his family and friends was perhaps only outweighed by their love and respect for him. An outstanding student and promising young athlete, he received a scholarship to attend prep school at the historic Battle Ground Military Academy. In 1951, the legendary college football coach General Robert Neyland recognized Darris as an outstanding student athlete and persuaded him to accept a scholarship to the University of Tennessee. McCord captained the 1954 Vols and named a First-Team All-American by the Football Writers Association. Darris earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with an engineering major. He was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
In 1955, McCord entered the professional ranks with the Detroit Lions. He played in the Pro Bowl in 1958 and was part of the stalwart Detroit Lions “Fearsome Foursome.” Highlighting his illustrious football career, he was a member of the 1957 World Championship Detroit Lions team that defeated the Cleveland Browns. He became one of the league’s most respected and consistent players over his professional 13-year career with the Lions (1955-1967).
Darris pursued a long and successful business career and established a number of successful companies in the wide-format printing industry, including, Precision Coatings, Inc., Reprographic Technologies, Inc., Sallmetal Company, Meteor Siegen, U.S.A. and Shacoh U.S.A., which later became the KIP America Company. He was a leader in the implementation of web based document management and electronic filing tools for U.S. courts. Darris was known for his leadership, integrity and profound attachment to his country.
An avid golfer, he was a lifetime member of Plum Hollow Country Club in Michigan and a member of Adios Golf Club in Delray, Florida and Coral Ridge Country Club in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Darris was a member of Northbrook Presbyterian Church in Beverly Hills, Michigan and the Presbyterian Community Church in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida.
A funeral service was held Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Northbrook Presbyterian Church in Beverly Hills, Michigan.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project and the NFL Gridiron Greats Charity.