Daryl Wilburn Nooner

DARYL WILBURN NOONER was born September 22, 1922, in rural Nacogdoches County near Mahl, Texas. His parents were Elihu and Lillie Nooner. He died on June 9, 2015, at home in Houston, Texas, surrounded by his family.

Daryl graduated from Central Heights High School in 1940. He worked in a National Youth Administration program for several months and then joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. After serving in Texas and Wyoming, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in April 1942, where he was assigned to the Air Corps.

Daryl trained at Sheppard Field, Texas, and Santa Monica, California. He served as an A&E mechanic and crew chief/engineer with the 7th Photo Recon Group at Mount Farm, England. He joined the reserves and was discharged in December 1945.

He attended Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College on the GI Bill and graduated in 1948 with a B.S. Degree in chemistry. Daryl was then employed at Shell Chemical Corporation as a chemist until he entered graduate school at the University of Houston. While at Shell he was recalled to the Air Force for one year.

Daryl’s research at the University of Houston was concerned with the origin and distribution of paraffinic hydrocarbons in meteorites. He graduated in 1966 with a Ph.D. Degree in chemistry.

On October 18, 1963, a significant improvement was made in his life when he married Marita Moore, an Exxon employee.

After graduation, Daryl worked briefly before returning to the University of Houston as a research associate. His next employment was with Spectrix Corporation and successor companies in the field of environmental chemistry and industrial hygiene. He retired in 1992.

Daryl was a member of 8AFHS, AAAS, ACS, and SIGMA XI.

Daryl was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Helen Nooner; and his wife, Marita Nooner. He is survived by son, David Nooner and wife Mardella; daughters, Margaret Finelt and husband Daniel; Mealinda Falkner and husband Michael; Michelle Holland and husband David; Mary Nooner and fiance Chuck Smotek; grandchildren, Caitlin Nooner, Haley Vana, Heston Vana, Cameron Harrison, Rena Harrison, Amanda Laca and husband Jesse; and great grandchild, Radley Laca.

A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 12, 2015, at Sunset Memorial Park, 5127 North Street in Nacogdoches, with Rev. John Bingham officiating.

Memorials may consist of contributions to St. Philip’s United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, or gifts to a favorite charity.

Online memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com. Services are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches, Texas.