Darrell Waring

Master Sargent Darrell Roy Waring USAF retired, was born June 9, 1942, in Texarkana, Texas, and passed away on February 5, 2024, at 81. Although he first set foot in Texas, Darrell didn’t remain there for long. Born in the shadow of World War II, his father, Dale, was called to serve, prompting a move with his mother, Florence, to Middlebranch, Nebraska. It was here that Darrell spent his formative years until the age of ten, learning about and enjoying the life of a farm kid. The family then moved to Fairbury, Nebraska, where Darrell continued his schooling until 1960. It was in Fairbury that Darrell was able to turn his lifelong love of airplanes into something special. He took lessons and became a private pilot. He went on to log hundreds of hours in the air for many years as he gained multi-engine and instrument certifications as a pilot. He went on to become a private plane licensed instructor and relished the fact that he could share his passion with so many others. Soon after High School, Darrell started his military career in the United States Air Force. He went on to serve twenty years, although he liked jokingly telling everyone that he actually served twenty years, and one day, because the military always overdid everything. Darrell's first year in the military was dedicated to mastering the complexities of air-traffic control. He served at bases in Mississippi, Texas, and North Dakota throughout his distinguished twenty-year service. His international assignments included strategic locations in the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and on the stark plains of Greenland. This extensive service record is a testament to Darrell's unwavering commitment to his country and patriotism. Darrell enjoyed talking about the fact that when in Greenland, he saw the northern lights sometimes every day for a week or more, and the colors were so vivid they looked like a movie version instead of the real thing. He also laughed about putting a C-130 in a holding pattern before landing so they could run a pair of wandering Musk-Ox off the runway. Darrell took much interest in sports, coaching junior hockey in North Dakota. After retiring and moving back home to Fairbury, he became a die-hard Big Red fan. He was a season ticket holder and loved following and watching Husker women's Basketball and softball. His greatest passion in retirement was gospel music, playing one of his guitars and singing as he entertained people in several states for nearly three decades. Darrell was never one to slow down, and in retirement, he worked multiple jobs in Fairbury before deciding to return to school and become an LPN. Once he received his nursing license, he worked in Lincoln and Beatrice for several years. His two children survive Darrell, David (Sara) of Jamestown, New York, and Karen (Jason) of Williamsburg, Virginia. He also leaves behind his sister, Norene (George) of Diller. His brother Neil (Jan) of Guernsey, Wyoming, and brother Lyle (Donna) of Topeka, Kansas. Darrell also leaves behind two grandsons, one great-granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at the Fairbury Cemetery at one o'clock, on February 15, 2024. Refreshments and remembrances at the Fairbury VFW following the service. Gerdes-Meyer funeral home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com

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