Gaylord Darrow

Gaylord F. Darrow, age 95 the oldest living WWII Veteran of Carroll County, passed away on Monday, February 8, 2016 at Big Meadows Nursing Home, Savanna, Illinois. It was Gaylord’s wish to have his body donated University of Iowa. A private family service will be held at a later date. Burial will take place in Savanna Township Cemetery.
Gaylord was born March 6, 1920, in East Moline, Illinois, the son of C. Sumner and Muzetta (Sheets) Darrow. He attended Savanna High School and graduated with the Class of 1938. He proudly served his country during WWII as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army Air Corp. from 1942-44. After his time in the military, Gaylord married M. Jean Schroeder on June 4, 1945 in Clinton, Iowa. They celebrated 42 years of marriage until Jean’s death on March 27, 1988.
Gaylord worked at Alden-Dauphin Standard Service Station in Savanna as a drive mechanic for 31 years, and as a maintenance worker for Alco, Savanna for 5 years until his retirement in 1985. He was a member of the Savanna VFW, and the First United Methodist Church. He enjoyed spending time outdoors going camping, boating, fishing and bicycling.
Gaylord will be dearly missed by his eight children, Jon (Pamela) Darrow of Savanna, Carolyn (Dale) Fox of Scales Mound, Illinois, S. Cliff (Beverly) Darrow of South Fork, Colorado, Joan (Allen Hill) DeGrado of La Junta, Colorado, Barbara McCraw of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ralph (Jodie) Darrow of Dubuque, Iowa, Rebecca (Randy) Wright of Oak Dale, Tennessee, and Ramona (Enoch) Green of Elizabeth, Illinois; 21 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren with one more due in April, and one sister-in-law, Fae Darrow of Kent, Ohio. Gaylord is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Jean, one brother, Ralph Darrow and two sisters, Marjorie Drake and Mary Gruver.