David Darge

1926 - 2017

David Darge

St. Augustine, FL - David was born on February 25, 1926 to Fred and Eleanor Darge in Minneapolis MN. Joining the marines at age 16, he served in the Korean war and WWII where he was a top turret gunner on a B-25. After serving 6 years, he met Helen Lang (Bronx, NY) also in the Marines in El Toro, CA. They married shortly after, leaving the Marines, returning to the North East for the next 40 yrs in CT, NJ, Red Hook & Beacon NY. He was a life long college student, attending colleges in Montana, NY, CT and NJ.

Dave was a great outdoors lover. He shared his love of his family Montana land with his son and grandsons, taking each on a primitive cross country trips, including dirt bike riding with antelope. He was his own person, fearless, non-conformist, genius, inventor, artist. Dave loved tinkering and restoring his porche, golf, fishing, hunting, biking, jerry rigging. His father Fred Darge, is a well known artist whose western art recorded the Big Bend area of W Texas and N Mexico in a bygone era from the 1920's to 1970's.

Dave's working career consisted of manufacturing engineering, and was Plant Manager at companies such as Red Devil. After retiring from NY State as deputy superintendent at Fishkill correctional facility, they relocated to St. Augustine FL. They enjoyed golf, the Florida climate & coast, traveling and many good friends in the St. Augustine Shores. Dave & Helen moved to Cary 4 years ago, near their oldest daughter and have resided at the cottages in Woodland Terrace.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Helen Darge, two daughters; Christine Heib (NC),(Denise Girardi (CA); son Ron Darge (CT). He is also survived by four grandsons; Bill and Adam Metzger, Ryan and Jason Darge; three grandaughters; Andrea Giambruno-Shockney, Lisa and Carolyn Girardi, and 6 great grandchildren.

In Lieu of flowers, please honor Dave with a toast to Celebrate his life. And maybe some chocolate. Memorial Service to be held at Woodland Terrace in Cary, NC on Dec 2, at 10:00 am