Darwin Burdett "D.B." Kline

Darwin Burdett “D.B.” Kline, age 85, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away Saturday (June 19, 2010) at his home. D.B. was born February 22, 1925 in Huntington, the son of Dewey Schley and Gladys Margaurite (Denney) Kline. He graduated from Huntington Township High School. D.B. married Lois L. Fuqua in Portland, Texas and she survives. D.B. entered Military Service in June of 1943 first assigned to the Army Engineers and later was selected for Army Air Cadet training. He graduated from Pilot Training on March 11, 1945 at Moody Field, Georgia with the rank of Flight Officer. He was ultimately assigned to the Troop Carrier Command and flew twin engine C-47’s and C-46’s. After WWII hostilities had ceased, he left service for a short period of civilian life. He re-entered the Army Air Corps as a Master Sergeant and was one of three enlisted NCOs flying on B-29s in the position of Radar Navigator/Bombardier with the 509th Bomb Group, Strategic Air Command. In 1947, he transferred to the Air and Airways Communications Service (AACS), later renamed the Air Force Communications Service (AFCS) where he began a 22 year career as an Air Traffic Controller. He served extensively in the Alaskan Air Command, Germany and Spain. Several highlights of his service were as the Chief Controller Berlin Control (Germany); American Chief Controller of the Madrid Spain Air Route Traffic Control Center; and while detached to the Spanish Air Ministry, he taught Radar Air Traffic Control Procedures at the University of Madrid. Kline was also selected by the Department of Defense to command the Air Force Honor Guard at the 1960 inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. D.B. holds the Air Force Commendation Medal for assisting Spain with the revision and establishing of air routes and terminal procedures. A second Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster was awarded for his actions in planning refueling procedures and routes over Spain and the Mediterranean Sea during the Cuban Missile Crisis (Operation Chrome Dome). He retired from the United States Air Force on January 1, 1970 with a total of 27 years of service and at the ranks of the Chief Master Sergeant and Major USAF Reserve. After retirement, he moved to Corpus Christi, Texas and was a long time member and Past Commodore of the Corpus Christi, Texas Bay Yacht Club and a volunteer with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He is survived by his wife – Lois L. Kline of Corpus Christi, Texas; two sons – Michael Smith Kline of St. Charles, Illinois and Steven Rea Kline of Seguin, Texas; sister – Joan Marcel Benson of Huntington; three grandchildren – Amanda Rea Kline, Jenna Michele Kline and Michael Raymond Kline of St. Charles, Illinois; three step grandchildren – Brandi Williams of Seguin, Texas, Misty Michelle Fuqua Klager and Rachell Fuqua; and four step great- grandchildren – Nathan Alexander Guerrero, Jasmine Elizabeth Fuqua Klager, Hailey Rosales and Ashlyn Trulove. He is preceded in death by parents; brother, Don D. Kline; and sister, Gloria Jean Kline. There will be a graveside gathering from 10 - 11 a.m. with a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday (June 26, 2010) at the Union Cemetery, 3688 East 400 North, Huntington with Rev. Ray Scribner officiating.

Darwin Burdett "D.B." Kline

February 22, 1925 - June 19, 2010