Darrel Walter Gibson passed peacefully at home on May 24 at the age of 91. He was born on February 2, 1933, in Durand, Wisconsin, to James and Alice (Harmon) Gibson. Darrel learned his work ethic working alongside his father at the family run full-service station. From a young age he was interested in aviation. As a child he enjoyed watching airshows at Schlosser Field, which inspired him to build many airplane models and he knew the names and specifications of all of them. When his neighbor came home on leave, he gave Darrel a ride in a Stearman Bi-plane, which fueled Darrel's interest in aviation. Around the time that Darrel graduated from high school in 1951, he took flying lessons at Schlosser Field in an Aeronca Champ. Darrel served from February 1953 to February 1955 in the 11th Army Calvary Division and was trained as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. His duty stations included Camp Carson in Colorado, Camp Irwin in California (including tank training), Fort Riley in Kansas, and finally Fort Knox, Kentucky. He worked his way to the rank of Sergeant and received an honorable discharge. He was only one of three promoted to Sergeant of 200 from his motor pool. He took some time off in late 1953 to marry his loving wife, Cleo, on December 28, 1953. She was to become a significant part of Darrel's aviation success. After the Army, they moved to Chicago so Darrel could attend (A&E) Airframe and Engine school at Midway Airport. He attended school during the day and would rush to get to his "real job" with United Airlines at night. They bought a 1948 Taylorcraft BC-12D for $500, which he restored with Cleo in his landlord's garage. He obtained his private pilot license. His first cross country flight was to Durand to show the newly renovated airplane to his parents. After getting his A&E license, Darrel moved to Eau Claire and worked for Badger Aviation in charge of the maintenance shop. His skills, determination, and honesty were also recognized by customers. In 1961, he bought the business and renamed it Gibson Aviation, Fixed Base Operation (FBO), along with offer to become the Eau Claire Airport Manager. He was Airport Manager from 1961-1976, in conjunction with operating his own business. He proudly served the Eau Claire community alongside of wife, his children, dedicated employees, and many friends. His business jingle was "Fly Gibson Aviation, your highway in the sky." After selling the business in 1989, he continued to fly for Menards and Xcel Energy. Darrel was inducted into the Wisconsin Hall of Fame in 2015. He was so proud to have received this aviation honor. Darrel logged over 10,000 flying hours over his lifetime, which included time in his beloved Twin Beech 18, Piper Navajo Chieftain, Cessna 402, Piper Cheyenne 111A, Cessna 310R, and numerous Piper and Cessna aircraft. He obtained his sea plane rating in Florida, purchased a Lake Amphibian. His last three purchases were Ercoupes. He flew his 1946 Ercoupe, back from Portland, Oregon, and enjoy flying it until the age of 87. No matter what the situation in his aviation career or in life, he always remained calm. Darrel would say "God was my co-pilot." His charter customers always trusted his flying abilities, but he did joke now and then "I never left anyone up there". Darrel had an adventurous spirt and loved a challenge. At age 9, he and his older sister Marge rode their single speed bicycles from Durand to Stanley, 90 miles, to visit an aunt and cousin. The trip took 9 hours over hilly roads. After high school, Darrel and his friend hitchhiked to Yellowstone National Park and later Kalispell, Montana, clearing brush behind Hungry Horse Dam. When in business, he was always looking for good airplanes to purchase. One was a Cessna 152 that he went to Anchorage to buy. Darrel and Cleo flew three nine-hour legs (27 hours) back to Eau Claire following highways across Canada. At age 75, Darrel and Cleo purchased Shady Elms Resort in Makana near Rice Lake and spent seven years renovating the property and the 100-year-old Sears house. Buying something, fixing it up, and selling it was what he liked to do. Darrel was a mentor and a role model for his children, grandchildren, airport employees, and anyone that knew him. He taught all of us how to work hard and to be proud of our accomplishments. He was a wealth of information, willing and always available to help whenever needed. He always led by example. Darrel worked hard, but he prioritized his free time to spend with his family boating, trolling on Lake Superior, camping, snowmobiling, motorcycling, and traveling. Darrel was kind, honest, dependable, and lived a spiritual life. Survived by wife, Cleo of 70 years; children, Judy (Mike) DeWeese, Janet (Stephen) Schiell, Patty (Scott) LaPoint, Donna (Ed) Anders, Darrel (Jennifer) Gibson, Darren Gibson; grandchildren, Nicki (Mike Carey) DeWeese, Jacob DeWeese, Garrett DeWeese, Richard (Jordan) Schiell, Laura Schiell, Kendra (Mark) Hane, Nate (Callie) LaPoint, Derrick (Lauryn) LaPoint, Nick LaPoint, Sara (Ryan) Bares, Theodore Gibson, Madalyn (Nicholas) Klein, Corbin Gibson; great-grandchildren, Hazel LaPoint, Henrick LaPoint, Rasmus LaPoint; brother, Glen (Rose) Gibson. He was proceeded in death by parents, James and Alice Gibson; sister and brother-in-law, Marge and Fred Randolph; cousin, Ceal Miller; twin infant grandsons, Samuel and Luke (sons of Darrel and Jennifer Gibson). The family extends their appreciation to the doctors and staff at Oakleaf Medical Center, Veteran's Administration, Prevea Cancer Center, Sacred Heart Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Interim Home Health, and Home Instead Senior Care. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, June 1 at St. Olaf's Catholic Church in Eau Claire, officiated by Father James Riley Kurzynski. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00am until the time of the service. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Military Honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 53 and VFW Post 7232. Arrangements are entrusted to Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services, Eau Claire. Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Darrel's memory to the American Red Cross or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Copy and paste the following link for the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame article written about Darrel  https://www.wahf.org/hall-of-fame/darrel-gibson/