- Date Of Birth: April 6, 1933
- Date Of Death: November 8, 2016
- State: Florida
Darwin Hilary McCombs peacefully passed away on November 8, 2016 at La Casa In Merritt Island, FL; he was was predeceased by his daughter Kathy Lynn (1996), sister Cathy Johnston, brother CA McCombs as well as his parents.
Darwin was born on April 6, 1933, in Kannapolis, NC, to Marvin and Connie McCombs. He graduated from Cannon High School in 1951, worked in Cannon Mill for a year, then worked for a year at the FBI in Washington, DC. He married Betty Cloninger (high school sweetheart), also from Kannapolis, NC, who also worked at the FBI. They were married for 64 years. In 1953 Darwin joined the Air Force; he and Betty spent the next 4 years in Texas, Florida and Athens, Greece. After leaving the Air Force, Darwin attended Belmont Abbey College for a year; he graduated from North Carolina State with a degree in mechanical engineering.
In 1963 Betty and Darwin moved to Merritt Island where he began his aerospace career with the Titan Program. He then worked with the Gemini and Apollo programs and the early Shuttle launches. He retired in 1993.
In 2002 Darwin began repairing construction tools and other items. He recalled those 5 years were the most enjoyable work he ever performed. He was also active in a local ham radio club.
Darwin is survived by his wife, Betty, his daughter Ann Marie and her husband Dennis, brother in law Russ Johnston, special friend Greg Gardiner, goddaughter Kellye Smith and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
A special Thank You to La Casa for much love and tender care the past four years.
