Darcy Lee Freeman, age 64, died doing what he loved – flying his airplane - on April 11, 2025 in Denton County, Texas.
He was born on November 26, 1960 to Gordon and Lydia Freeman in Kitchener, Ontario. The family moved to Phoenix, Arizona to help manage Lydia’s asthma when Darcy was 5 years old which became his home.
Darcy was an avid and experienced hiker, hiking the canyon and surrounding areas likely 100 times, as well as the mountains in Colorado and Idaho.
Loving the skies from an early age, Darcy took his first flying lesson when he was 19. He worked hard to put himself through Arizona State University to study aeronautical engineering.
He worked most of his career in the airline industry as a flight dispatcher, starting at America West in Phoenix, then US Airways in Pittsburgh, and finally American Airlines in Ft. Worth. His co-workers were truly his work family.
Working for the airline, Darcy was able to travel the world, often in a jump seat inside the cockpit with the flight crew. He has been to over 35 countries with a shot glass collection to prove it.
It was his dream to build and fly his own plane. Over the past few years, Darcy proudly and meticulously crafted his SabreWing with professional guidance. Thankfully he was able to fly it to the Sun ‘n Fun aerospace expo in Florida this spring.
Darcy is survived by his sister Sharon (Freeman) Hollinger and spouse Norm, brother Brian Freeman and spouse Carol, brother Mark Freeman and spouse Teresa, brother Marvin Freeman and spouse Marlene, nieces and nephews Christel Hollinger Ivanyshyn, Luke Hollinger, David Freeman, Murray Freeman, Kristy Freeman, and Courtney Freeman Shields, and beloved great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Gordon and Lydia Freeman, many aunts and uncles, and close friend Galen Yoder.
An interment will be held at the Bloomingdale Mennonite Cemetery, 1151 Snyders Flats Road, Bloomingdale, Ontario on Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 2pm followed by a celebration of life at the neighbouring church. Friends and family are welcome.
An additional event will be held for his Phoenix “family” at the Fire House Event Center, 8307 W Washington St, Peoria AZ from 2-5pm on Saturday, July 19, 2025 to celebrate Darcy’s incredible life and the amazing person he was.
