Lt. Col. Harry Darby

Harry R. Darby, 94, of Jonesboro departed this life Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House surrounded by his family.

Harry was born on July 9, 1926 in Posey near Wheatley, AR to Mervin Darby and Mary Schmitt Darby.  He began his education in a one room school house that spanned grades 1-6.  He was an excellent student and graduated from Dyess High School in 1945.

After graduating, he enlisted in the Army during World War II.  He served 2 years doing clerical work such as typing discharge papers for those fighting in the war.  Following the war’s end, he enrolled at Arkansas State College where he earned his degree in business, and after completing the ROTC program he began his career in the U.S Army at the rank of second Lieutenant. His service to his country took him to fight in the Korean War as an Aerial Artillery Scout, and during this time he was able to meet President Elect Dwight D. Eisenhower during the future president’s tour of the front lines.

Harry returned to the states after Korea and he and his wife began their family.  He worked in Army Intelligence continuing with his military career.  In 1962, he was assigned to work with the CIA’s National Photographic Interpretation Center.  He surveyed photographs taken of possible missile production during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  He finished his 25 yearlong military career as a Lieutenant Colonel at the SAC Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska.

Returning to civilian life, Harry and his family settled in Jonesboro.  He worked at Franklin Hardware Store, and then took his final job at Forrest Office Machines repairing copiers for the next 20 years,  Harry was a member of the Exchange Club in Jonesboro, helping to raise money for multiple causes over the next several years.

He is survived by his 4 children, Harry Lyle Darby, Alan Darby, and Allyce Thomas (Doug) all of Jonesboro, and Elizabeth White (Kenny) of Folsom, Ca; grandchildren Chris White (Jenny), and Shannon McClintock (Jared)  of Folsom, Ca, Aaron Thomas (Jordan) of Newport, and Nash Thomas (Abby) of Jonesboro; 2 great grandchildren Benjamin McClintock and Elijah White of Folsom, Ca; brother Julius Darby of Haysville, Ks, and sister Ethel Lewis of Newport.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Bettie “Honey” Lyle Darby; great granddaughter Blakely Thomas of Newport; brothers Sam Darby, Bobby Darby, Richard Darby,  and sister Lora Crowder.

A celebration of Harry’s life will be held at 10:00 on Thursday at Emerson Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held at 9:00 until service time.  Interment will follow at the City Cemetery. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Alan Darby, Doug Thomas, Aaron Thomas, Nash Thomas, Tommy Lewis, and Mark Underwood.

Honorary pallbearers are Lyle Darby, Kenny White, Chris White, Jared McClintock, Julius Darby, and the coffee group from McDonald’s.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Harry Darby to the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.