DARREL G. LOTRIDGE, age 78, of Auburn Hills, went home to be with the Lord on February 15, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Darrel was born on August 16, 1939, in Owosso, Michigan. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lois Anna (Hammond); children Renee (Jim) Van Allen, Julie (John) Butler, and Gary (Emily) Lotridge; grandchildren Nicole (Curt) Schuler, Eric (Beth) Van Allen, Joel (Caroline) Van Allen, Chelsea (Mark) Butler, John Butler, Jr. and Lindsey Butler; great grandchildren Hudson, Evie, Corbin, Violet and Arjana; sister Arloa (Peter) Jackson; and Darrel’s dog Buddy. Preceded in death by his parents Roger & Melvina Lotridge. Darrel grew up and spent most of his life in the Auburn Hills area. He graduated from Avondale High School in 1957 and joined the United States Air Force in 1959 where he proudly served his country for 4 years. On September 13, 1959, He married the love of his life and childhood sweetheart, Lois Anna Hammond. While in the Air Force, Darrel served as a radar technician on the F-105B Thunder Chief Fighter-Bomber. Following the Air Force, Darrel continued his love of airplanes and flying by earning his Private Pilot’s License in the early 1960’s and has been flying ever since. Founded with his father, Darrel owned, operated and was a master electrician of Lotridge Electric for 37 years. He also was a member of the Civil Air Patrol for 20 years, a member of the Yankee Air Force, where he procured airplanes for their museum. He enjoyed attending the Oshkosh Air Show. He was a 20-year member of North Auburn Hills Baptist Church and was actively involved with the North Auburn Hills Baptist Car Club. An avid collector of classic cars, as well as model cars, Darrel was a regular at the Culvers Car Show in Lake Orion and the Woodward Dream Cruise. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 19, 2018, 11 am at the North Auburn Hills Baptist Church, 3889 N. Squirrel Road, Auburn Hills. Dr. John Marine officiating. Interment at Christian Memorial Cemetery. Darrel will lie in state at the church Monday at 10 a.m. The family will also receive friends Sunday, from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Pixley Funeral Home, 3530 Auburn Road, Auburn Hills. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Auburn Hills Baptist Church Mission Fund.
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