Russell Burns Gammage Darden

Russell BG Darden, age 76, of Fort Walton Beach, passed away on November 22nd, 2018. Russell was born on December 20th, 1941, to parents, Anna Belle and Byrns Darden. Russell graduated from Clarksville high school in 1959, then went on to receive a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Austin Peay and Troy Universities.. Russell joined the Air Force in 1963 and trained to become a pilot. He was a special operations C-130 combat pilot before retiring after 20 years of service, and earning many awards, medals, and recognizations. After retiring from active duty service he was a pilot instructor for Lockheed Martin on Hurlburt Field until he fully retired in 2008. Russell is is predeceased by his father, Byrns, his mother, Anna Belle, and his sister, Barbara. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; children: Sherry (Chuck) Brainard, Russell Jr., Diane (Raymond) Ross, Joe (Angie) Darden, Robert Darden, and grandchildren: Elizabeth (Trevor) Nolte, Dorothy Maddan, Krista (Edy) Machado, Rebecca (Brandon) Florea, Kaitlyn Ross, Turner, and Connor.

Memorial service will be held at Trinity United Methodist on Racetrack Road Saturday, December 1 at 11:00. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Trinity United Methodist, St Jude Hospital for Children, Wounded Warriors, or your favorite charity.

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