DARNALL, Jess E.

Jess E. Darnall, 83, died December 26, 2002. He served in General Patton's Army as lead ammunition truck driver, landing on Utah Beach D Day and received the Purple Heart for being wounded. He was Honorably Discharged in December 1942. Returning to Great Bend, he owned the Darnall Truck Service in the oil fields until moving to Mesa in the late 1970's. He is survived by his loving wife, Diane of Phoenix, a daughter Sheryl Pfeifer of Gilbert, two grandchildren, Gina Sharon and Jason Pfeifer, and 5 great grandchildren. A Hot Air Balloon Pilot in Phoenix, he flew in meets in several countries from Australia to Turkey and Africa to Central Europe winning many trophies. A volunteer for many community projects, he was a Nationally accredited Arbitrator for the Phoenix Better Business Bureau. He will be buried in the National Memorial Cemetery on Cave Creek Rd. Published in the Arizona Republic on 12/31/2002.