John H. Darden, 72

KENTON - John H. Darden of Kenton passed away Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, in Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. He was 72.

Mr. Darden was born April 15, 1935, in LaGrange, Ga., son of the late John H. Jr. and Dorothy (Edwards) Darden.

He worked as a loadmaster superintendent for Dover Air Force Base and retired in 1979 as a master sergeant, after 26 years of faithful service.

Following retirement, Mr. Darden worked as a loadmaster for the Air Force Reserves and later worked as an air traffic controller for Civil Service Base Operations.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, and was very proud to serve his country. He flew many missions in and out of Vietnam, earning several medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross with one bronze oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with eight devices, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Mr. Darden was also involved in doing C-5 static displays throughout the world.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 28, Millsboro.

Mr. Darden was an avid gardener and enjoyed boating, fishing, camping and relaxing at his beach house.

He is survived by his wife, Marietta (DiGiovanni) Darden; two sons, John Darden and Daniel Darden, both of Gray, Ga.; a daughter, Jodi Mann of LaGrange; a sister, Anne Avera of LaGrange; and six grandchildren.

There will be a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Faries Funeral Chapel, 29 S. Main St., Smyrna.

Memorial services will be in LaGrange at a later date.