- Date Of Birth: April 19, 1932
- Date Of Death: March 15, 2019
- State: Illinois
Col. Derrel Loren Dempsey (USAF Ret.), 86, formerly of O’Fallon, IL, born April 19, 1932 in Gilson, IL passed away on Friday, March 15, 2019. Derrel married the love of his life, Gracie, in 1953. Together they raised five children. Derrel was passionate about his family and his country. He loved fishing, gardening, visiting his family, and trips to the ballpark to root for the St. Louis Cardinals. Colonel Dempsey was a highly decorated and accomplished pilot and administrator prior to his retirement from the United States Air Force.
Among numerous honors, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for flying an exceptional mission in the Vietnam War. He was inducted into the Air Force Communications Hall of Fame in Washington, DC. Col. Dempsey served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Traffic Services, Air Force Communications Command at the Pentagon. During that assignment, he deployed 612 combat ready USAF Air Traffic Controllers to keep air traffic moving during the FAA air traffic controllers strike. For his actions during the strike and legendary service record, the Air Force USAF named the Air Traffic Control Manager of the Year Award for him.
Derrel was preceded in death by his wife, Gracie Dempsey nee Edwards; his parents, Loren Albert and Mary Ardella (nee Sniff) Dempsey; and his sister, Lawanda England. Derrel is survived by his children, Darrell (Pam) Dempsey of Linden, TX, Guy (Anne) Dempsey of O’Fallon, IL, Tamera (Mike) Luth of Amarillo, TX, Minda Lawson of Madison, WI, and Lisa (Klaus Grillmaer) Dempsey; brother, Myron (Phyllis) Dempsey of Peoria, IL; thirteen grandchildren and ten great- grandchildren.
