10/29/2025
Remembering “Uncle Darrin” — A Life of Service, Joy, and Gymnastics
Dear gymnastics family:
It is with a heavy heart that I share that our dear friend, mentor, and coach, Darrin Grogan, passed away today, October 29, 2025.
Many of you know Darrin’s story. In June 2024, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma. He faced it with the same courage, humor, and grit he brought to every practice and every meet—traveling for treatment, enduring rounds of immunotherapy, and never losing the smile or the bear hug that made him “Uncle Darrin” to so many of our gymnasts (including my daughter, Emily).
For over 30 years, Darrin was a cornerstone of our sport, coaching both men’s and women’s gymnastics at Champions Gymnastics in Paragould, Arkansas, alongside his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Sharon Grogan. Beyond the gym, he served his community for nearly 30 years as a Jonesboro firefighter, earning the love and respect of his brothers and sisters in uniform.
Darrin lived the motto “I’m Third”—God first, others second, himself third. He poured himself into athletes, families, and teammates with boundless enthusiasm and unshakable positivity. If your child ever believed a skill was possible because someone believed in them first, there’s a good chance that someone was Darrin.
In the coming days, we will share details about services and ways our community can gather to celebrate his life. In the meantime, if you feel moved to honor Darrin’s legacy, feel free to share a favorite story or photo so we can pass those memories to his family and gymnastics community.
On behalf of everyone who learned, laughed, and grew under Darrin’s guidance: thank you for loving him so well. May we carry his spirit forward—in how we coach, how we parent, and how we show up for each other.
With love and gratitude,
Chris Rippy
It is with deep regret that we pass along the news of our brother, Darrin Grogan. Darrin passed on from this life early this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. Darrin will always be remembered by his big heart and his even bigger smile. As long as we continue to remember him and share his story, Darrin is never truly gone.
Rest easy brother, we will take it from here.
