Darrell Ross Uzzel

Darrell Ross Uzzel, 74, of Dayton, passed away on December 10, 2023 at Dayton Kettering Hospital. He was born October 23, 1949 in Dayton Ohio to the late Paul D. Uzzel and late Fern L. Uzzel (McGrew).

In addition to his parents, Darrell was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn (Al) Lewis and brother-in-law, Rick (Marcia) Starritt.

Darrell is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Phyllis G. Uzzel (Hardin), as well as his children, daughter, Rhoda (Dean) Olinger and son, Darrell D. (Jennifer) Uzzel and Grandchildren, Devin (Stacey) Olinger, Wm Drew (Shea) Olinger, Raina Olinger, Darren Uzzel and his great granddaughter, Riley Olinger. In addition, his sister Marcia Kay Starritt, brother-in-law Al Lewis and nieces, Tracy (Matt) Sumner, Paulette (Bob) Schields and Marrita (Kevin) Watkins and their families and extended family.

Darrell started working at Adequate Petroleum in 1965 and was well known in the custom car, hot rod world for promoting car shows. He first started U&M productions indoor Rod & Custom Auto Show from 1983-1996. He then went on to an annual outdoor show called Cruisefest Nationals from 1995-2014 that included all types of cars from classic and muscle cars to custom low riders.

He was a car club member of Street Rod Associates for several years in the 70's and helped start the Dayton Street Customs car club and went on to start his own called Freedom Rodders in the mid 80's. Also in the 80's he'd attend functions dressed as John Belushi from the Blues Brothers and put on a show that everyone got a kick out of.

He enjoyed working on his hot rods, going to cruise Ins, watching old westerns, collecting toy cars and anything nostalgic. He also enjoyed decorating outside for families to drive by during the holidays, being surrounded by people, trips to Tennessee and of course, hot rod shows. But his passion was putting on Cruisefest Nationals and he held that near and dear to his heart!

He would do multiple interviews about his show and some wrote articles and even shared a song with him about it. It wasn't uncommon for someone to pay tribute or sing his praises about his life while he was with us. He sure enjoyed being in the lime light.

He was known as the Rod King and very much enjoyed that title. He was very welcoming to everyone. You could simply stop by and say you liked his car, or had been to one of his shows and he'd invite you in and order pizza. He was so unique that even writing this, he can't be fully described. That's what made him so special and gravitated people to him.

He wasn't afraid to push the envelope and somehow it always worked out. In fact, he thrived on pushing it. He fought cancer and diabetes hard! And he beat the odds longer than the doctors thought. But in his final few days, he knew it was his time to go. He was incredibly brave as he faced death. He faced it head on!

He always liked that phrase "Elvis has left the building", well, that's true, but to his friends he was known as The Rod King. Thank you for the memories! The "Rod King" has left the building.

Visitation will be held Monday, December 18, 2023 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Newcomer Funeral Home - North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Rd. Dayton, OH 45424.

Funeral Services will begin at 10:30am on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at Newcomer Funeral Home - North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Rd. Dayton, OH 45424.

Darrell will be laid to rest at Dayton Memorial Park Cemetery.

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