The Memorial Service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2235 Kingston Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81507. Burial will follow at the Grand Junction Cemetery (located in Orchard Mesa Cemetery), 2620 Legacy Way, Grand Junction, CO 81503. Arrangements are by Martin Mortuary (martinmortuary.com), Grand Junction, Colorado. (Viewing will be from 9:30am - 10:00am immediately preceding the Memorial Service).
Don was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Ross Columbus Darnell and Geneva Myrtle Rice on September 9, 1942. Don was raised in Grand Junction, Colorado, and was an achiever from the start. He graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1961 and then attended Brigham Young University. On April 12, 1963 in the Manti, Utah LDS Temple, Don married Celia Schulthies, the love of his life.
After graduating from Brigham Young University, Don was commissioned a lieutenant in the United States Air Force and began pilot training in Texas during the Vietnam War. The Air Force took Don and Celia’s family to many locations such as Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines; Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan; and numerous stateside Air Force bases. Don served in the Vietnam War flying 166 dangerous missions from Phu Cat in the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter jet away from his young family during 1970-71. He was decorated with three Distinguished Flying Crosses which were awarded for "Heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight".
After 13 years of active duty Don entered the Air Force reserves and began civilian life by starting the Darnell Tool Company in Casper, Wyoming. After running the business for a number of years Don yearned to get back into aviation. He began flying payroll and parts to the oil field in and around Wyoming.
In 1984 Don moved the family to Broomfield, Colorado where he worked as a pilot flying storm research missions for the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Don had reached the status of instructor pilot in the Air Force and taught aviation during the mid 1980’s. He became a commercial airline pilot for United Airlines and flew the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, Boeing 727 and the Airbus A320 aircraft, among others.
Don and Celia retired and relocated to Westcliffe, Colorado. Don was always involved in local LDS church leadership wherever he lived and held many positions in the Westcliffe branch during his retirement.
Don is remembered by his children as the most capable man they have ever known. If Don wanted to accomplish something, it was done, and scrupulously at that. He was a perfectionist. He never quit.
Don is preceded in death by his wife, Celia Schulthies Darnell, and his parents, Ross Columbus and Geneva Myrtle Rice Darnell.
Don is survived by his children, Douglas Ross Darnell (Rosa), Robert Brock Darnell (Marlyce), Darren Young Darnell (Krista), Rebecca Luckett, Analeise Sofia (Deborah) Darnell, and his 25 grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Grandsons: David Ross Darnell, Daniel Rendell Darnell, Neil Brock Darnell, Levi Young Darnell, Benjamin Tyler Luckett and Derek Abram Pipkin.
