Jonathan Darrell Temple

Jonathan Darrell Temple, 67, of Bunnlevel, passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2019, in his home.

He was born in Dunn and was the son of the late Josephine McLamb and Willis Edgar Temple Jr.  Darrell proudly served in the National Guard for approximately 2 years.  In 1974, Darrell took over what was Triangle Drain Company after the passing of his father, which became Temple Drain Company.  In 1983, Darrell founded Temple Grading and Construction Company Inc. to continue his passion.  Darrell received the Lillington Businessman of the Year award in 1996.  He served on the Flat Branch Fire Department Board of Directors, Triangle/Centura Bank Board of Directors and the New Century Bank Board of Directors for several years.  Darrell was a member of Friendship Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 9, 2019, at Friendship Baptist Church in Bunnlevel, with the Reverends Phil Addison, Tom Brown, and Dan Deaton officiating.  Burial will follow in Harnett Memorial Park in Lillington.  The family will receive friends at O’Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home in Lillington, Friday, November 8, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and other times at the Temple home.

Darrell is survived by wife of 47 years, Bonnie Jo Temple; son, Jonathan Willis Temple and wife, Sarah of Bunnlevel; daughter, Anne Temple Price and husband, Marshall of Buies Creek; two beloved Great Danes, Tater and Willow; brother, Willis David Temple and wife, Susan of Apex; and sister, Maryellen Mills and husband, Bryon of Cibolo, Texas.

Darrell lived a life of daily servitude: service to his family and friends, to his church, community, and to complete strangers. He lived every day FOR his family and their needs, to protect, provide and bring joy to each of them in the ways that meant most to them individually. He remained in love with his childhood sweetheart and wife of 40+ years until his very last breath. And if you ever had the joy of knowing or meeting him, you probably knew how proud he constantly felt of one or both of his children at any given moment. When each of his children married their own loves, Darrell immediately began loving Marshall and Sarah, individually, just as he loved his own children. He valued living a life that embodied such Christ-like ways; now his entire family vows to remember him daily, to tell stories of him to his future grandchildren, and to carry out his legacy throughout the remainder of their lives.

In a similar way, he adored his work and work family. Darrell’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to all employees, both past and present, for all of their time, contributions, and loyalty throughout the years.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jonathan Darrell Temple, please visit our floral store.