Jackson, Mississippi - Darrell Gaylen Giddens passed away on Wednesday, November 5,

concluding a dynamic and adventurous life.

Darrell, affectionately known as "DG," was born on August 30, 1935, on

a cotton farm in north Texas at the height of the Dust Bowl. His

family was poor even by the standards of the day, and in 1942 they

fled drought-stricken Texas and lit out for California in the back of

a stranger's station wagon, with room for only one suitcase.

When DG's draft numbers came up in 1957, he enlisted in the Navy, and

it was immediately apparent that he was an exceedingly talented pilot.

He amassed 14,000 flight hours and completed 700 carrier landings. His

call sign was "Grinder," due to the relentless grind of marching off

demerits he earned with his distaste for the rigidity of military

rules. Through numerous deployments, including two West Pacific

cruises aboard the USS Ticonderoga, DG defied great odds, serving his

country through the turbulent years of the Vietnam War. DG's final

active duty assignment was as a flight instructor on the USS Lexington

in Pensacola. He achieved the rank of Commander in 1977.

On the ground, he was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and

friend. He was inordinately proud of his children, and taught dozens

of their friends to water ski at the family's summer camp. He was an

ambitious businessman, serving as President of Printer's Supply Mart

and Copy Mart, and partner in Number One Fundraising, among other

ventures. Known for his ready laugh, twinkling blue eyes, and sharp

sense of humor, he delighted in classic country music and off-color

jokes. He was an excellent dancer, an avid reader, a skilled gardener,

and a classic old school gentleman, whose bearing and humility

cultivated affection and respect in everyone who knew him.

DG spent thirty happy years with his second wife, Mary Helen Neck, on

the shores of False River, tending his roses, feeding the

hummingbirds, and watching the long sunsets.

In 2013, DG was diagnosed with Parkinson's, and he beat back the

disease with characteristic, uncomplaining toughness, outliving all

expectations. He spent the last five years of his life in Jackson, MS,

under the loving care of his devoted son John. The family is forever

grateful to John and his wife Sandra, as well as the attentive staff

at The Blake--especially the incomparable Inez Porter, whose daily

loving care for DG was truly invaluable.

DG's near miraculous resilience, relentless work ethic, and profound

generosity of spirit will endure in his family for generations to

come. We are truly lucky to have lived in his tailwind.

DG is predeceased by his parents, Lois and Ellen Giddens; his first

wife, Martha Ann Duffy Giddens; their son James Giddens; and his

second wife, Mary Helen Neck. He is survived by his sisters Jana Beth

(Paul) Klasse and Ann (Ronnie) York; his children, Michael (Shedell)

Giddens, John (Sandra) Giddens, Brian (Karen) Giddens, and Elizabeth

(Dan) Giddens; his grandchildren Ashford, Abigail, George, Garrison,

Caroline, Ava, Alex, Bradley, and Finbar; and his great-grandchildren

River and Sage.

The family will celebrate DG's life at a memorial service this spring

in Jarreau, Louisiana. To honor his memory, donations may be made to

the Parkinson's Foundation (parkinson.org) or Semper Fi & America's

Fund (thefund.org).

If you ever find yourself in Pensacola, stop by the Naval Air Museum

to see a fitting tribute to DG's squadron, VA-52, aka The

Knightriders. DG's beloved plane, the AD Skyraider, is displayed

there, along with portraits of the brave young pilots he served

with--many of whom never made it home.