Haskel Wayne Darst

Haskel Wayne Darst, known to all who loved him simply as Wayne, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. He was 75 years old. Born on October 14, 1950, in Oklahoma to Haskell and Viola Darst, Wayne moved to California at an early age and made Tulare his home for the rest of his life - a town that was all the richer for having him in it. When his country called, Wayne answered. He proudly served in the United States Army for three and a half years during the Vietnam War era, stationed in Germany. He carried that sense of duty and quiet strength with him long after he returned home, woven into everything he did. Not long after returning home, in 1976 at a dusty dragstrip in Famosa, Wayne found the love of his life in Marlea Hicks. He stepped wholeheartedly into fatherhood, becoming an instant dad to Todd and Lea - embracing them as his own without a second thought. A few years later, the family grew once more with the arrival of Randy, completing the trio that would fill his life with laughter, love, and no shortage of stories. Wayne made his living working in the dairy and food industry, where his work ethic and dependability earned him lasting respect. But it was away from work where his spirit truly shone. An avid automotive enthusiast, he had a gift for breathing new life into classic cars, restoring them with patience and precision. On weekends, you could often find him at area car shows or watching drag races alongside his best friend Wayne Mancebo - a tradition that said everything about the kind of man he was: loyal, present, and happiest in good company. Wayne leaves behind a legacy of love, faithfulness, and genuine warmth as often enjoyed by his siblings, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is survived by his three adult children and their families, Todd, Lea, and Randy; his siblings Sharon, Shirley, Judy, Blaine, Bill, and his beloved little sister Lisa; and his lifelong true brother and sister in every sense, Wayne and Karen Mancebo. Wayne lived simply and loved deeply. He was the kind of man who showed up - for his family, his friends, his country. The road feels a little quieter without him, but the rumble of a classic engine, the roar of race day, and the laughter of those he cherished will carry him forward in every heart he touched. Graveside services will be held 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 at Tulare Cemetery, 900 E. Kern Ave., Tulare. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Haskel Wayne Darst

October 14, 1950 - May 12, 2026