Fletcher K. Darby's Obituary
Fletcher K. Darby, 91 passed away at his home in Johnson, on June 8, 2005. He was born in Tontitown, Arkansas on November 28, 1913, the son of Ralph and Senora Darby. He was preceded in death by his wife Marion, his parents and three brothers John, Walter and Harry Darby. His surviving relatives include the members of his late brother Harry?s family: Harry's wife Francis Darby of Houston Texas, her daughter Marilyn Musial and her husband Wayne, her son Kenneth of Indianapolis, Indiana, great nieces and nephews including Julie and Kevin Hurley and their children Darby and Jarrett of College Station, Texas, and a host of close friends.
Upon his father's death in 1915 Fletcher and his brothers were placed in a Masonic Home for Children in LaGrange, Illinois. He spent much of his childhood in and out of the Masonic home before striking out on his own at the age of fourteen. He soon joined his brother Harry as a worker in a paper mill where he began to display his considerable skill and understanding of mechanical things. He apprenticed in the art of drive belt "splicing" for the large steam factory belts and quickly became a specialist in that rare skill.
Fletcher married Marion Parks in 1939 before entering the service of his country during World War II. He honorably served in the South Pacific as a communications specialist for his Marine unit during some of the most intense fighting of that campaign. Following the war he returned to reside in the Chicago area. There he would begin his lifelong profession as a master electrician. In the late sixties he and Marion retired to Northwest Arkansas where he would spend the remainder of his life.
Fletcher was known throughout Northwest Arkansas for his warmth, his benevolence and his tireless work ethic. His generosity and unselfishness were demonstrated most every day of his life in his efforts to help those in need in any way that he could. He was a problem solver and a master craftsman in almost any skill associated with construction. Fletcher liked nothing better than to get out his pencil and paper and make a plan.
Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home on Crossover Road in Fayetteville. A graveside service will be held at Fairview Memorial Gardens on Mission Drive in Fayetteville at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 10.
Pallbearer will be Bill Sherwood, Jeff Sherwood, Eric Sherwood, Hoyt Perry, Bob Perry, Dick Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be Lee Dahl and Kevin Hurley.
Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of the Ozarks, Inc. 413 N College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72701.
Visitation Date Time Thursday, June 9, 2005 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Visitation Location Nelson-Berna Funeral Home Service Date Time Friday, June 10 10:00 AM Service Location Graveside funeral service at Fairview Memorial Gardens
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