Darrell Eugene Gholar

Darrell Eugene Gholar was born on November 7, 1961, at the Amarillo Air Force Base in Amarillo, Texas, to Willa Gholar and S.L. Gholar. He transitioned from this life on December 16, 2025. During his early years, Darrell lived between England and Texas before ultimately settling in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 11, Darrell accepted Christ and was baptized at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church by Reverend Joseph Wells, a faith that remained an important foundation throughout his life. Darrell attended Chicago’s Dunbar Vocational High School, where he distinguished himself as both a scholar and an elite athlete. He wrestled and played football, earning recognition as an IHSA Wrestling State Finalist in 1980 and an AAU Wrestling National Runner-Up. He was named captain of both the football and wrestling teams, demonstrating early leadership and dedication. Following high school, Darrell attended the University of Minnesota, where he began a remarkable collegiate wrestling career. He was named to the Freshman All-American Team and served as team captain for two years. Darrell graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in World Literature. Darrell’s wrestling career continued at the highest levels of competition. He became a three-time United States Greco-Roman National Champion, served as Captain of the 1986 United States World Team, and was an alternate for the 1988 Olympic Team. He also shared his expertise as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota (1985–1986) and Drake University (1986–1987). In 1998, Darrell transitioned into professional fighting. In 2000, he captured the World Vale Tudo Championship as a middleweight and held the title until retiring from professional competition in 2001. Beyond athletics, Darrell was a gifted writer, poet, and creative visionary. He was a finalist for the Jerome Fellowship in Playwriting and a recipient of a Walt Disney Pictures Screenwriting Fellowship. Upon completion of the fellowship, he was offered a position writing for Walt Disney Pictures’ Touchstone Division. During this time, he wrote and directed The Dancer at the Ivar Theatre in Hollywood and co-produced the full-length feature film Looking for Bruce. In 2003, Darrell was named one of the world’s top 200 living poets and was invited to read his work in Washington, D.C., at the National Society of Poets National Convention. In 2023, Darrell was honored with the Medal of Courage by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Illinois Chapter, recognizing both his athletic achievements and his enduring impact on the wrestling community. Darrell Eugene Gholar leaves behind a legacy of faith, discipline, creativity, leadership, and excellence. He is survived by his loving parents, Willa Gholar and S.L. Gholar; his brothers and sisters Dimitri Gholar (IL), Duane Gholar (TX), Deirdre Gholar (TX) Mark Allen (CA), Aasha Francis (Justin)(FL.), Aaron Gholar (IL), Jarrell Turner (Leslie (IL.), Adrianna Gholar- Frazier (Shannon (IL), a host of niece, nephews, extended family members, and cherished loved ones.

Darrell Eugene Gholar

November 7, 1961 - December 16, 2025