Darby Patrick Stirrup

It is with great sadness we announce the unexpected passing of Darby Patrick Stirrup on June 8, 2025. Darby was an extraordinary person — kind, curious, and deeply loved. With a dry, witty sense of humor, he had a way of making people laugh without ever cracking a smile himself.

Darby was the third child and only son of Barbara Darby Serna and Timothy Scott Stirrup. He was born on October 4, 2000, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and grew up in Corrales, where he made many close friends and spent countless sunny days at the Corrales pool. He was a proud member of the Boy Scouts, where he nurtured a strong sense of independence and an obsession with the Pinewood Derby, which developed into a deep enthusiasm for anything with wheels. Darby also played soccer, basketball, and baseball on local Corrales teams. In his youth, Darby developed a lifelong passion for medieval battles and military history—interests that continued into adulthood. Travel to visit family in Vienna was a dream come true, giving him the chance to explore the real centuries-old castles and battlegrounds and immerse himself in the history.

Darby attended Corrales Elementary, Taylor Middle School, and Cibola High School. Darby was a dedicated student and developed a love of science and engineering at an early age. He was deeply involved in STEM extracurriculars at Cibola High School, including the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement Club and the robotics team, which became state champions in 2018 and 2019 and went on to place third in the 2019 national VEX Robotics Competition in Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from Cibola High School with honors in 2019. Darby continued his education at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT), where he studied Mechanical Engineering and was an active member of the NMT Baja Club, competing in off-road vehicle design competitions. He earned his Bachelor Science degree in December 2023.

Following graduation, he moved to Aiken, South Carolina, to begin his professional career as a Shift Technical Engineer for Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) at the Savannah River Site. He supported the Saltstone Processing Facility and took pride in his work. He had the mind of an engineer and was carving out a future full of promise, purpose, and quiet determination.

He is survived by his mother, Barbara, and her partner Terry Cooper; his father, Tim, and his partner Kelsey Forde; sister, Emily Alcorn and her husband Sean; and sister, Kerry-Ann Stirrup.

In Corrales, NM, A memorial celebration of life will be held on June 25th at 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Casa Peria, Art Space (4829 Corrales Rd), followed by a pizza celebration at 5:00 pm in the back room at Village Pizza (4266 Corrales Rd). In Aiken, SC, a memorial reception on July 10, at the Hunt Room at the historic Wilcox Hotel (100 Colleton Ave SW) from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Appetizers will be available.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made in his name to the Epilepsy Foundation at https://www.epilepsy.com.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC