Duane H. Delk, 78 of Ladson, South Carolina, the husband of Shirley June Delk, entered into eternal rest on 11 January 2010 at the Trident Regional Hospital, North Charleston South
Carolina.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 15, 2010 at 11 o’clock at Summerville Baptist Church. Friends and family may call on Thursday evening from 6 until 8 o’clock at James A. Dyal Funeral Home, 303 South Main Street, Summerville. Flowers will be accepted or memorials made to Summerville Baptist Church Building Fund, 417 Central Avenue, Summerville, SC 29483. Burial will follow at Dorchester Memory Gardens.
He was born in Zephyrhills, Florida, the son of Samuel Jessup Delk and Sybil Onita Riggs. Master Sergeant Delk joined the Air Force in 1948 and worked as an aircrew chief early in his career at Hickam AFB, Hawaii on C-54 Aircraft. He then flew as a Flight Mechanic on B-25J's and C-119C, F&G' models aircraft. He flew C-119C's (flying boxcars) out of MacDill AFB,Florida in the mid 50's. Duane then spent the rest of his 41 year career in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves as a Flight Engineer with over 15,000 hours in aircraft such as the KC 97, C-124, C-141. By the time he was 30 years old had spanned most of the globe and proud of the fact that he had mentored many others in their profession as a flight instructor and flight examiner. He was especially proud of his service during the cold war with the 384th Aerial Refueling Squadron in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and the fellowship with his compatriots at the 315th Airlift Wing with the 300th and 701st Airlift Squadrons respectively. Duane was a member of the Airline Pilots Association, the 315th Airlift Wing, and the 384th Air Refueling Squadron Alumni. Duane was an Air National Guard Advisor as a C-124 Flight Engineer, from 1965 to 1969 in Oklahoma City, OK. MSgt Delk flew many Presidential support missions, Aero Medical Evacuation missions as well as Embassy Support around the globe. MSgt Delk also flew in civilian status of Overseas National Airways on the CL-44 aircraft and other companies such as Evergreen, and Hawaii Air. Mr. Delk was a certified pilot for many years and demonstrated a dedicated love of flying. He retired from the Air Force Reserves in 1989 for medical reasons and then took up another career as a truck driver with Southern Bulk Trucking Company. MSgt Delk was a Korean War and Vietnam Era Veteran provided the much needed logistics support to the troops being ferried as expeditionary forces. He was an avid musician and active member of the Charleston Symphony playing the French Horn. Over the years he sang in the Chorus with the Tampa, Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, the Springfield, MA Symphony Orchestra and the Oklahoma City Opera Chorus. He played the French Horn in High School 1947-1949 and didn't play it again until 1996 when he joined the Charleston Community Band. Duane had a special love for gospel and classical music. Moreover he spent many years as a soloist and acting choir director during church services. He was an active member of the Summerville Baptist Church.
Mr. Delk is survived by his loving wife Shirley June Delk of Ladson; two sons Dennis H. Delk and his wife Pamela of Manassas, Virginia, Dana H. Delk and his wife Vicki of Ravenel,; daughter Cheryl A. Mims and her husband Michael Mims of Summerville; four grandchildren, Jennifer Ruth Infinger (Larry), Allison Marie Kirkman (Jason), David Mims, and Camellia Ives Delk; one great grandchild Avery Infinger, One Brother: Whiting S. Delk (Elaine) of Athens, TN, One Sister: Janice Simmons (Jack) of Monticello, FL; Numerous Nieces and Nephews.
A memorial message may be written to the family by visiting our website at www.jamesadyal.com. ARRANGEMENTS BY JAMES A. DYAL FUNERAL HOME, 303 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483.