Donald “Don” Eugene Varvil, 74, passed away on Sunday, June 6, 2021, at his home in Columbia.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 10 at 12 p.m. at Arnold Funeral Home, Mexico. Rev. Joseph McCalley, Trinity Lutheran Church, Columbia, will officiate. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m-12 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, at Arnold Funeral Home.
Don was born on Feb. 6, 1947, in Mexico, the son of Everett Joe Richard Varvil and Dorothy Louise (Burkett) Varvil. He graduated from Mexico High School in 1965 and from Wichita State University in 1970, with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering.
On July 29, 1966, he married Marva Spradlin in Mexico. On Dec. 12, 1974, he married Chyerl Stewart Glatz in Wichita, Kan.; she survives at the family home.
In addition to his wife Chyerl, he is survived by three children: Ginger (Patrick) Devine, Stephanie (Gary) Ashby, and Mark (Amy) Varvil; 10 grandchildren, Chris Devine, Andrew Devine, Kate Devine, Daniel Devine, Grant Ashby, Lindsay Ashby, Jessica Ashby, Scotty (Caitlin) Sheffield, Trent Varvil, and Colton Varvil; great-granddaughter, Oakleigh Sheffield; brothers, Mike (Carol Brown) Varvil, and Jim (Wanda) Varvil; and an aunt, Kathryn Burkett.
Don worked as a test pilot for Cessna Aircraft Company and Gates Learjet and continued his flying career for 26 years as a commercial pilot for Delta Air Lines, where he flew as captain on both domestic and international flights. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Columbia.
Don enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, traveling, photography, and working on their farm north of Mexico.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant grandson, Joshua Devine, and his beloved cocker spaniel, Duchess.
Memorials may be made to Central Missouri Honor Flight or paid forward in kindness to others.
Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com.
