FRANK E. DARNELL SR.

Frank E. Darnell passed away July 7, 2010. Frank was born February 5, 1920 in Campbellton, Florida to Lorena and James Darnell. He married Catherine (Kitty) Rosique in 1941. In 1943, Frank volunteered to serve in the United States Army. He served in the South Pacific and New Guinea and was involved in the invasion of the Philippines. He was awarded 5 ribbons for his service in New Guinea and the Philippines. He returned home to Pensacola to his family where he worked for Muldon Motor Company as the Parts Manager. Over the next few years, he remained in the car business in Fort Walton and Daytona Beach. In 1972, he and his family settled in Panama City when he became General Manager of Cook-Whitehead Ford. He retired at the age of 70 in 1990. He remained an active member of the 757th Combat Engineer WWII reunion group until the time of his death. He had been an active member of the Lions Club and The Panama County Club. He was a 60 year member of the Elks Club. Frank was an avid golfer. He and his wife Kitty were well known in Panama City for their beautiful roses and flowers; even at 90 years old you would see him in the yard tending to his flowers and vegetable plants.
Frank has left behind a large and loving family; sister, Lorena (Dean) Horn of Pensacola; four sons, Frank Jr. (Margaret) of Pensacola, Jimmy (Tammy) and Doug (Laura) of Lynn Haven, Tom (Sandra) of Dothan; ten grandchildren, Troy (Karina), Paul (Helena), and Stacie Darnell, Jaime (Derrick) Bengston, Amy (Morgan) Hurst, Matthew (Heather Scofield), Joey (Julianne Langston) Darnell, Adrienne Darnell, Kevin Berry, Megan Bailey; eleven great-grandchildren, Brittany Darnell, Kiani and Dakota Darnell, Alexandria, Aubrey and Abigail Seay, Morgan Catherine Hurst, Matthew Darnell, Ausleigh Darnell, Payton and Karsen Romines.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Lorena (Pybus) and Joe Giri, James B. Darnell; brother, James Darnell, sister, Clothilcle Atkins; his loving wife of 65 years, Catherine (Kitty) Darnell and grandson, James Ryan Darnell.
The family will receive friends at Wilson Funeral Home on Saturday from 2 – 4 p.m. A private family graveside service will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the American Lung Association, 4300 Bayou Blvd, Suite 2, Pensacola, FL 32503 in memory of Frank Darnell Sr.

Wilson Funeral Home