Darrell Alexander Shavers Jr. died on June 30, hours before his 64th birthday.

He will always be remembered as a loving father and grandfather, a caring son, a dedicated educator and wonderful friend to many.

He was born on July 1, 1947, at the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Rev. Darrell Alexander Shavers Sr. and Geraldine Shavers.

He graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn and received his bachelor’s degree in biological science from Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio. During his undergraduate years, he completed an internship as a metallurgical technician at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Darrell continued his education, receiving a master’s degree in teaching from Antioch University in Springfield, Ohio. An avid learner, he also studied at Indiana University, Hunter College and the New School for Social Research. He earned his principal and practice in real estate from New York University and was certified by the Council of Deaf Educators.

He retired from the New York State public school system after 30 years of service. He was the head of the science department at the Lexington School for the Deaf in Jackson Heights, N.Y., and a member of the New York State United Teachers. His command of sign language allowed him to teach impaired students for more than 30 years. The commitment to his students and his passion for teaching changed the lives of many people. He also taught at McKinley Middle School in Middeltown, Ohio, and Frobel Junior High School in Gary, Ind.

A lifelong member of the First A.M.E. Zion Church of Brooklyn, Darrell served in many capacities within the church, including as an assistant trustee, Sunday school teacher, instructor in the Christian education department as well as scout master and later board member in the church’s Boy Scout Troop 219. He also delivered meals to sick and shut-in church members during the holidays.

He earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and studied Akido. He became a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Upsilon chapter, in 1967.

Among his most beloved times were summers spent on the Vineyard where he owned a home in Oak Bluffs and had been coming since 1969. On the Island he enjoyed fishing, going to the beach and pursuing his hobbies of woodworking, camping, gardening, stamp and coin collecting, photography, reading and architecture. He thoroughly enjoyed long games of Monopoly with his grandchildren whenever they came to visit.

He was predeceased by his father the Rev. Darrell Alexander Shavers, and sister, Regina Shavers; paternal grandparents, Peter and Hattie B. Shavers; and maternal grandparents, Egbert Daniels and Rose Berry. He is survived by his mother, Geraldine Shavers of Brooklyn, N.Y.; wife, Diane Shavers of Jamaica, N.Y.; sons Damon Shavers of Jamaica, N.Y., Gregory Shavers and his wife, Christy, of Charleston, W.V.; daughter, Tene Shavers Royer and her husband, Kevin, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; grandson Maxwell Shavers and granddaughter Quinci Shavers, both of Charleston, W.V.; grandson Maliq Royer of Brooklyn, N.Y.; an aunt, Rose Jackson of Brooklyn, N.Y.; an uncle, Peter Daniels of Summerfield, Fla; and numerous cousins and other relatives.

A service was held on July 6 in the First A.M.E. Zion Church in Brooklyn, N.Y. Interment was in the Oak Bluffs Cemetery.