Darrel Simon Whittaker

Darrel “Dazz” Simon Whittaker unexpectedly passed away, doing what he loved, on September 23rd, 2024, in Chapmansboro, Tennessee. Born on January 9th, 1973, in Frankston, Victoria in Australia. Darrel was a man whose presence lit up the lives of all those around him.

Darrel is preceded in death by Tom and Norma Whittaker (paternal grandparents), Peter and Reba McCann (maternal grandparents), Jamie Reid (nephew) and numerous aunts and uncles.

Darrel leaves behind to cherish his memory his beloved partner, Bethany Oates; devoted daughter Tyler Whittaker and bonus daughter Morgan Beaird (Hunter). His loving mother, Rosalie Whittaker, father Robert Whittaker, sister Michelle Whittaker and niece Hailey Janovro all of Australia. Darrel loved his partners family as his own as well. Extended family and numerous friends worldwide will mourn his passing and celebrate his life.

Darrel's passion for flying began when he was 2 years old where he would crawl out onto the front lawns and watch them fly over the sky. He got his first motobike, a Honda 50, at 4 years old and would ride it until it ran out of gas. Darrel’s “Need for Speed” and pursuit of adventures began at a very young age.

At the age of 18 in 1991, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force specializing in signals and information technology. He proceeded to get his private pilots license in Jandakot. While working as an instructor, in order to gain hours, he was introduced to a love of aerobatic flying and the art of perfecting maneuvers and competition. His interest was peaked by watching local aerobatic planes in Perth such as, Decathlons, Pitts, Extras and Christian Eagle’s.

His daughter, Tyler, was born in 1999 and Darrel was a 100% hands on dedicated, loving father who was overjoyed to participate in all her firsts throughout life and enjoyed guiding and teaching her and watching her grow. With her most recent accomplishment of being accepted into Veterinary Medical School coming to a reality a few weeks before his passing and the tears of joy shed for all her hard work. He moved to the United States of America in 2000 for 8 years and then back again in 2012 so his daughter could focus on her passion of Veterinary Medicine. He worked in information technology and was very skilled in his field. But his true passion was flying and he still did side work as a contract pilot and instructor while living in Louisville, KY. He enjoyed spending time at the Bowman Field aeroclub and the many lifelong friendships he built there. Darrel enjoyed flying planes for skydivers specifically at Sky Dive Hervey Bay, Sky Dive Kentucky and Music City Sky Dive in Waverly, TN. He also had towed banners at the Indy 500 before and as long as he was in the air he was happy doing what he loved.

Darrel enjoyed fishing, camping, visiting new places, exploring the outdoors, body surfing, any and all beaches, amusement parks and roller coasters to satisfy his “inner kid”. Darrel had a huge heart and love for animals, especially a GSP named Roxie he had gotten Tyler as a puppy. Darrel always enjoyed working with his uncles and grandfather’s building and tinkering with something. While growing up Darrel participated in cricket, Australian Rules Football and Soccer. He was a member of the Australian Aerobatic Club, International Aerobatic Club and many other aviation groups.

In 2017 Darrel moved to Nashville, TN to be closer to his daughter who was accepted into UT Knoxville. On 10.26.17 he met his loving partner, Bethany and after just a few days they never left each others side again. He gained a bonus daughter that day as well, Morgan and he loved her as his own. He was a great father figure to Morgan. Beth and Darrel were true soulmates and best friends and enjoyed going on adventures together, watching Moto GP, laughing, cooking, gardening, working on their house and their land together, having fires, chopping wood, traveling, taking walks, raising their 3 ducks together, they made each other better in every way possible. They did haven’t it all on their own but together they had it all. The laughter, inside jokes, goofy sayings and quoting of movie lines in every day conversation was never ending

At the end of 2019 Darrel and Beth leased a Waco biplane and started a Biplane and Banshee touring business out of Smyrna, TN airport together. Right around the corner unknowingly was Covid which shut down their business right as it was getting started. While devastating to Darrel his passion and dreams continued.

Darrel was finally able to pursue his flying as a fulltime career in corporate flying most recently with DaVinci Jets, for Pinnacle Bank as Captain of a CJ4 Jet. He continued to do work with Cirrus Airplane corporation doing transition trainings and ferries and other corporate flying as needed. In 2022, the opportunity of a lifetime opened up. The S-1-11B Pitts, 1 of only 3 made in the factory, was for sale. Darrel worked so hard in all he did and his passion for flying and his desire to finally have his own plane, not one that was leased, was realized with the encouragement of his partner and the hopes and dreams that they had together.

Right after Darrel and his partner purchased the S-1-11B Pitts he went to the doctors for a routine check up and found a few numbers that were off. Additional tests were needed. He decided to wait until after his bonus daughter’s Morgan’s wedding November 5, 2022, before getting the results. The dancing, drinking, hair tossing, laughter and good time that was had was one of a kind. A few days later Darrel learned that he did indeed have prostate cancer. While scared, worried, sad, mad and with his partner by his side a fire was ignited within him and he stood by the saying the “Fights On”. Due to the cancer Darrel lost his aviation medical, but he was able to beat cancer and get his first class medical back. He was so very proud to have beat cancer!

In October 2023, Darrel had the amazing opportunity to represent Australia at the World’s Advanced Aerobatic competition (WAAC) in Las Vegas. His own plane representing his home country while in the USA was a dream come true. He didn’t get the results he wanted but the experience, the opportunity, the friendships, the lessons learned and the chance to spend time with his family from Australia was priceless.

Darrel was able to become a United States citizen on February 21, 2024 when he had his Naturalization Oath Ceremony. He took this formal indoctrination seriously and was truly blessed and touched to have been able to have the honor of now having dual citizenship with the USA and Australia. Darrel was very much looking forward to being able to vote in the upcoming USA election in November 2024.

He found solace and joy in the skies as he piloted his plane to destinations near and far. His adventurous spirit led him to explore new places and new opportunities as he molded his life’s work around teaching others about the joys of flying. His passion for teaching and watching others learn was incredible. There was an indescribable way that he was able to impart knowledge onto others.

Darrel was a true light and inspiration to his family, friends and colleagues. He will be missed by all the lives that he was able to touch in his years on this Earth. To know Darrel was to love him. Darrel had a way to be a bright light in everyone’s life who had the opportunity to meet him. The atmosphere of a room changed when Darrel entered. Darrel had the best hugs. He hugged with passion and honest care for the other person. He loved the commodry of good mates, whether drinking in the bush or doing the wicket dance, or sipping wine hooting and hollering at a Nashville soccer club game. His friendships were deep and lifelong filled with good stories and good laughs. As Dr. Seuss would say, “don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”

Our lives will never be the same but our lives have forever been touched by an amazing man who is loved so deeply and truly!