Darrell Ernest Paulson, 86, born October 22, 1938, to Ernest W. A. Paulson and Marie (Johnson) Paulson died Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Essentia Health Medical Center. He went to be with his Lord and Savior and reunite with his son, Kirk; parents; and sister, Donna (William) Hughes.

Darrell graduated from Denfeld High School in 1957, where he met his wife Charlene Nystrom, whom he married on August 5, 1961. He attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and Duluth Business University. He was a member of Waters of Life Lutheran Church, former member of Bethany Lutheran Church; Ionic Lodge #186, Duluth Valley of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, AAD Shrine and it Director's Staff, and former member of the Clown Unit. He went by the name "Popo The Clown" at the Shrine Circuses; member of the Elks Club, honorary member of the Arrowhead Chef's Club, life member of the Duluth Musician's Union (joining at the age of thirteen!). He was a professional drummer playing in many bands, i.e., his own, the Grand Ole Opry, traveling and playing with many well-known artists of-the-time including Gene Vincent, The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, and The Young Americans. He was also asked to join the band Foreigner, but Darrell turned them down because he had started a family and promised he would not go back on the road after having children.

Darrell owned the night club Darrell's "C" Club in the 196Os, worked in advertising at WDIO-TV, found his calling working in the food broker industry as a representative. His hobbies were racing motorcycles (mostly coming in first place) and walleye and steelhead fishing. His passion was cooking and feeding friends and relatives!

Darrell is survived by his wife, Charlene "Char"; son, Steven "Stevie" (Sandra "Sandy") Paulson; granddaughters, Peighton and Presley Paulson; sister-in-law, Carole Duncan of Sparks, NV; niece, Heidi Inwood of Sparks, NV; nephews, Scott (Kris) Hughes of Duluth and Bret Duncan of Half Moon Bay, CA; and several cousins.

The family would like to extend many thanks to the staff at Keystone Bluffs and to the ICU staff at Essentia for Darrell's care.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 17th at the Hermantown Community Church, 4880 Maple Grove Road, Hermantown, with a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 AM and a reception to follow. Memorial checks preferred to the Shriner's Children Twin Cities Clinic. A private burial service will be held at a later date at Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery with family in attendance.