~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, WA/DL Capt. Daryl Thomas Martin
November 10, 1942 ~ October 19, 2016
Belated notification with the passing of retired Western/Delta
pilot Captain Daryl Thomas Martin, age 73. Captain Martin joined Western
Airlines 11-28-1972 and retired with Delta Air Lines, based LAX.
Captain Martin’s obituary may still be viewed online at
or through the funeral home’s website at
Captain Martin’s obituary indicates he is survived by his wife
Carol, their children and grandchildren.
Per whitepages, I see their residence listed as
3148 E. Encanto St., Mesa AZ 85213-6110 ... (480)
985-6237
Additional information and/or corrections are always
appreciated.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary....................
Daryl Thomas Martin was born November 10, 1942 in Wagner, SD,
and died October 19, 2016 in Mesa, AZ after a lingering illness. Daryl was the
second of four children born to Nyle and Florence (Deuschle) Martin where they
lived on the family farm homesteaded by Daryl's grandfather, Jesse Martin. The
work ethic he learned on the farm translated into a lifetime of dedication to
hard work.
Daryl participated in multiple sports and went to South Dakota
State University on a football scholarship, becoming one of the tri-captains of
the team his senior year, where he also sang in a barbershop quartet called the
Muscletones with three other athletes.
Newly graduated, newly commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the USAF
and newly married to his college sweetheart (Carol Longwood of Lemmon, SD), the
young couple left their beloved home state of SD in January of 1965 for Texas,
awaiting orders for pilot training where he was ultimately assigned to Williams
AFB, Chandler, AZ and trained in the T-37 and T-38, receiving the Officer
Training Award for his class. He chose an assignment with Air Training Command
upon graduation and returned to 'Willie' as a T-38 instructor pilot for the next
4 1/2 years. While in the AF, Daryl joined the rifle team and received many
awards as a sharpshooter.
For the next 2 years, Daryl worked at Falcon Field as a
private pilot instructor, and became an instructor pilot for Lufthansa Airlines,
training German pilots prior to being hired by Western Airlines in 1972. Western
merged with Delta, and during his 30 year career, Daryl flew multiple aircraft
including the 737, 727, and 757-67, and was one of the first pilots to train on
the MD-11, retiring in 2002.
Daryl enjoyed sports and participating as a volunteer coach
for his daughters through their growing up years. Summer softball found him
playing on one team and coaching one or two of the girls' teams simultaneously.
He became a girls' track coach at Valley Christian High School for 14 years
where his youngest daughter attended high school.
Daryl's relationship with his Savior translated into a life of
service. Using his gifts of serving and giving, he was always ready to lend a
hand to anyone in need. He sang in the church choir, served on a Christian
school board and a church council, participated in men's Bible studies, and
being a natural handyman, particularly enjoyed serving in the men's ministry as
leader of an outreach of helps to single and widowed women. Missions became a
priority following participation in Worldwide Perspectives.
Daryl was an avid reader, a global traveler, an accomplished
hunter of big and small game (with a special interest in bow hunting) and
enjoyed fly fishing, golfing, running and biking. He could often be found
strumming his guitar, singing the songs of Johnny Cash. His spirit of adventure
made camping, boating, water skiing, hiking and travel adventures that were
enjoyed by the whole family. He delighted in times spent with his wife, three
daughters and their families, and always prioritized bidding for his trips
around family events.
At age 62, Daryl faced a diagnosis of lymphoma with great
courage and continued to remain active with the people he loved, doing the
things he loved, until a neuro-degenerative disease robbed him of those
abilities.
Daryl is survived by his wife, Carol, three daughters:
Stephanie (Joel) Midthun, Carolyn (Brian) Cain, and Christy (Todd) Eskes, 10
grandchildren (Christian, Matthew, Joshua, Samantha, Michaela, Tessa, Eliana,
Levi, Ashleigh and Micah), two sisters: Nyla (Robert) Zastrow, and Bonnie
Soukup, and one brother, David Martin. He is preceded in death by his parents,
Nyle and Florence Martin.
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