Bobby Gene Darnell

Master Sergeant Bobby Gene “Duke” Darnell passed away on October 29, 2017 after a long illness. He was born in Hot Coal on May 19, 1937, and had resided in Beckley since retiring from the Air Force in 1979. He was preceded in death by his father George Darnell, mother Virginia Mae Darnell brother Donald James Darnell and son Mark Lane Darnell. He is survived by his wife of 46 years Fumei Yang Darnell, daughter Debbie Mae Morgan and husband Steven of Beckley and sister-in-law Esther Darnell of Anapolis, MD. He has five nephews and nieces, three grandsons, Jacob Darnell of Cleveland OH, Jonah and Logan Morgan of Beckley. Bobby was a 1955 graduate of Mark Twain High School, and a 1982 graduate of Beckley College. Shortly after high school Bobby embarked on a long career in the Air Force and retired as Master Sergeant with 24 years of honorable service to his country. He was awarded a meritorious service metal four commendation medals and 17 other decorations for outstanding service and achievements. After retirement he went to work as a civilian employee of the Beckley Police Dept., and retired with 23 years of credited service. Bobby was a member of Beckley Masonic Lodge 92, Scottish Rite Consistory and Beni Kedem Shrine Temple of Charleston. He was an avid trout fisherman and enjoyed fishing the streams of WV with his favorite fishing buddy, his wife Fumei. Visitation will be handled by Blue Ridge Funeral Home in Beckley on November 3, 2017 from 12:00-1:00PM. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com