David A. “Buddy” Darden Sr. passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2017. He was born on July 19, 1923, in Chuckatuck, Suffolk. He was the son of the late Pearl Underwood and Lemuel Fenton Darden. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 70 years, Dorothy “Dot” Darden. They married in 1946 on Valentine’s Day. His brother, James F. Darden Sr., and his daughter-in-law, Bruce Hill Darden, also predeceased him.

He is survived by his children Betty Lynn (Tom), David Jr. (Janie), Jack (Sandee), Dwight (Julie) and Bill; nine grandchildren, Trip, Trent, Miranda, Chris, Meredith, Zach, Adam, Ashley and Jared; and 15 great-grandchildren, all of whom loved him with all their hearts.

David was a lifelong Suffolk native and member of Suffolk Christian Church. He was a graduate of the class of 1946 from Suffolk High School. He served his country in World War II as a lieutenant in the Army, co-piloting gliders to France from Great Britain. David served in both the European and Central theaters and earned a Purple Heart. After being honorably discharged from the Army, David returned home and attended Elon College to play football. He and Dot returned to Suffolk to raise a family, and David worked with his father at Darden and Sons, which eventually turned into a chicken and egg business that his brother also joined. David became a member of the Khedive Shrine Temple and the local Suffolk Shrine Club. He was very involved in the organization, eventually becoming the potentate in 1985. He was in the Jesters, Cabiri, served as the recorder of Khedive Temple, and past president of the Suffolk Shrine Club.

He traveled the world with his wife, Dot, and they retired to live at their “Retreat on Crooked Creek.”

A celebration of life service will be conducted on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at 2 p.m. in Suffolk Christian Church, with the Rev. Michael D. Halley officiating. R.W. Baker & Co Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., is serving the family. A private burial will be held prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Khedive Temple, Attn: Crippled Children, 645 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320. Condolences may be offered at www.RWBakerFH.com.