About Darrin

Who is Darrin Sankey a letter from his mom.

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Darrin Sankey Forever 27

 

Darrin was my world. He was the most loving and giving person I know. He would give and give until he had nothing left then would ask me to help him give. He was always trying to make others laugh and smile despite his own struggles.

 

He struggled quietly, trying not to hurt those he loved. Darrin's problems started in his teenage years when he made friends with the wrong crowd in the little town we lived in. The “parent” to a few kids in this group would allow a group of kids to hang out at her house during school hours. She would allow weed and alcohol use. I remember having to send state troopers to go get him. That’s where this nightmare began.

 

Many of those young men are no longer here. I think one male in that group is alive. He battled the next several years to stay clean after his addiction escalated with a knee injury. He met a wonderful young woman at work. She kept him on the right path for a few years. I’m forever grateful for that time.

 

I tried everything in my power to protect my son over the years. Moved him out of state, asked for professional outside help. I even found an opportunity to get him arrested. I always told him that I would rather visit him in jail than to ever visit his grave.

 

He entered treatment court and gave it all he had. He was admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation. He was happy. I had the son back that I knew and loved. He was leading the meetings the first week. He would call me for essentials like laundry soap (because it smelled like home) and items like body wash and shampoo. I came to find out he was sharing the things I brought him with everyone that needed it. It turned into a weekly ordeal of me taking the entire rehab supplies. ( Not sure why he thought I had a money tree growing out back).

 

He was released from rehab on 4/9/2020. He was happy. He was healthy and he was thriving. Outpatient therapy was to be continued. Covid had shut down all in person meetings. It was all done virtually. This wasn’t working well but he tried and carried on. On 10/10/2020, he got weak. No one was home. A “friend” delivered what was suppose to be .5 gram of heroin (his DOC) and it turned out to be fentanyl. He died instantly with nothing in his system except fentanyl.

 

Darrin had 1 brother and 3 sisters. He loved his family more than anything. If you spoke to him on the phone, no phone called ended without an “I love you” and if you failed to say it, he would keep calling you back until you did. Aside from his siblings, his Aunt was his favorite person! He ALWAYS made time for her when she came home for a visit from VA. He always called his grandmother (Big Gram).

 

One night he rounded up some friends and filled their trunks with firewood after his grandma lost power so she could use the wood burner in her house. He purchased Christmas gifts for a co-workers children to help ease her worries. He always put others first! Darrin had a bigger than life personality. He had a laugh that was truly contagious. He gave the BEST hugs!! What I wouldn’t give for one today.

Those that love him knew we had to do something to carry on his legacy of giving. We started the Darrin Sankey Memorial Foundation in his honor. Even in death, his memory will continue to help those whom need it. A son, A brother, A friend. He was a giver until the end.

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Sincerely, Brandy Jones