Daryl (meaning dear or beloved) Edrick (wealthy and powerful) Wren (the king of all birds in Irish folklore) was born on June 21, 1952.

When Daryl was born, he left the hospital before his mom, Leatha (named after her grandmother) Wren Palmer, and was entrusted to his aunt Alice until his mom was released. "Finders, keepers" or as the African proverb says:  "It takes a village to raise a child."

And speaking of the village, Daryl remembered many people in East St. Louis. If you asked Daryl about someone, he'd give you a brief biography of that person.

Actor Chris O'Dowd said "I grew up in a house with forthright women" –  as did Daryl who picked up on that characteristic of forthrightness. Daryl would let you know what was on his mind and his language was always colorful. Daryl did his own version of "Kids Say the Darndest Things" when recounting stories that his youngest granddaughter, Dylan, would narrate. You could see the joy in his face and he was especially proud of her winning Spelling Bees.

Daryl liked to read and watch movies — Westerns were among his favorites but he most recently recommended "The Woman King" with Viola Davis. His reading taste went from Walter Mosley to James Patterson.

Daryl also loved sports. Once, Daryl fainted and the first thing that he wanted to know when he awakened was the result of the basketball game –  "Who won?"

Even though Daryl didn't agree with the modern-day pampering of dogs, Teddy would trot into the kitchen and wait for Daryl to turn around and toss him a treat because Daryl knew his way around the kitchen and you seldom saw him with fast food; he was the designated grill master on holidays.

Shortly after graduating from Lincoln High School, Daryl enlisted in the United States Army and completed his basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to East St. Louis where he was employed by Engineered Air Systems and later by Aquarius Limited.

Daryl might not have been rich as his middle name implied or as the ailment, gout (rich man's disease), insinuated but he had a rich experience with his family and friends.

He was a big brother to Rodney, husband to Trenace, father to DaKeesha and Darylian, grandfather to Bryce, Brayden, Dannica and Dylan, and he had a very special relationship with his aunt Alice and sister Chiquita.

Daryl had two very special friends, Charlotte (Chaz) Williams and Raymond Wilbourn who were at his side when the laughs were abundant but, also, when times were hard.