Benny L. Darbo

Benny Lee Darbro was born October 21st, 1926, on the family homestead southwest of Elk City, Kansas to Daniel and Naomi Darbro. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Webb & Rodrick Chapel in Independence, Kansas with burial to follow in Oak Hill Cemetery Elk City, Kansas. The family will greet visitors On Friday, November 1, 2024, from 5:00 –7 :00 p.m., at Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory. Benny, the eldest of six children, grew up no stranger to hard work. During the depression, the extended family toiled tirelessly to scratch out a living on the family farm.

Benny graduated from Elk City high school in 1945. With the nation bracing for the invasion of Japan, Benny promptly enlisted in the Army Air Corps and departed for basic training and B-29 tail gunner school. There he met a life-long friend, Tom Dunbar. It was Tom that often encouraged the more conservative Benny to attempt trips back to Kansas during their breaks in training. On a longer 15-day break, Benny ventured to Ottawa, KS to meet a young lady named Anna Marie Darbro. The day they met was also their first date, attending a college football game, chaperoned by her father. So began the courtship of Benny and Anna.

On the morning of 27 November 1945 Benny boarded a liberty ship and began the journey to Manila. The rapid conclusion of the war changed Benny’s assignment to working in the motor pool and guarding Japanese POW’s. He said Anna Marie wrote almost daily during his deployment. It was on Benny’s 20th birthday that he stepped from the return ship back onto US soil. Benny and Anna pickup up just where they left off and were married in Ottawa on April 1st, 1947.

After marrying, the couple headed to St. Louis where Benny attended Brayton Air School. There he earned his Airframe and Powerplant license. It was in St. Louis that their first daughter Jeannine was born. After a short stint working for an uncle in Syracuse, Kansas, Benny was hired by Boeing in Wichita. This is where their second daughter, Debra joined the family. In 1955, Benny and Anna Marie moved to Mulvane, KS to own and operate the Dairy King, turning it into the teen hangout. It was in Mulvane that they welcomed the additions of Lori and Joel.

In 1967, Benny accepted a position with American Airlines in Tulsa. During his career with American, the family lived in Owasso, OK as well as two years in El Segundo, CA when Benny temporarily transferred to LAX airport. Benny built a new home on the old family farm in Elk City. He continued commuting to Tulsa until his retirement from American Airlines in 1983. Benny and Anna lived on the farm for nearly 40 years before moving together to Morningstar Assisted Living. Benny took great pride in building his house, but also greatly enjoyed helping Joel and Jeannine build their own homes on part of the family homestead.

Benny’s marriage to Anna Marie flourished until he lost the love of his life on October 17th, 2022, just before his 96th birthday. Benny especially enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors, he made friends wherever he went. He and Anna shared a great love for traveling and camping. Benny was an active member of multiple churches throughout his life and enjoyed writing and teaching Sunday school lessons. He even taught bible lessons at Morningstar during his final years. Benny had a deep love for his family and openly exhibited that love as the family grew. He was always sharing stories with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Benny is survived by his sister, Charlotte; his children: Jeannine (Frank) Cobb, Debra Malmos, Lori (Jeff) Shaw, and Joel (Holly) Darbro; eleven grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.webbrodrickchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.