Celebration of Life for

SFC (R) Darin Wayne Fletcher

SFC Retired Darin Wayne Fletcher (55), transitioned to glory on Monday, December 2, 2024, at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, in the comfort and care of his wife, Candy Davis Fletcher.

Darin was born on May 19, 1969, to the parentage of Donald Wayne Fletcher and Shannon Todd Fletcher in Bakersfield, CA. He joined the U.S. Army in 1990 as a Small Arms/Artillery Repairer. There he met his wife, then known as Candy Davis Higgins, while both were stationed in Darmstadt, Germany in 1991. They married in January 1993, eloping to South Carolina during a short visit stateside. Darin left the Army in 1999 to pursue a civilian career in machining in Gainesville, GA. During this 8-year period, he received his Associate’s Degree as a CNC Machinist. Throughout this time, he routinely worked 12-hour shifts with overtime while attending night-college, as he always demonstrated dedication to self-improvement for the sake of his family.

Darin reenlisted in the U.S. Army in 2007, this time pursuing a specialty in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). It was during this period of his life where he forged many dear friendships with his fellow comrades. He spent the first years of his EOD service as a Technician, and then later as an Instructor, where he was endearingly dubbed the “Testecutioner” for his stern, yet prudent, standards for future technicians. After 20 years, 2 hardship tours in the Desert Storm and Iraq warzones, and many deserved accolades, including the Master EOD Badge, the highest badge for an enlisted EOD technician, Darin retired from the U.S. Army in October 2018, and settled in Knoxville, TN. He worked for 5 years at Y-12 National Security Complex, first as an Assembler, and then again as an Instructor. In all careers he pursued, Darin loved teaching and guiding the most, a calling to which he was well-suited. 

Throughout Darin’s illness, his faith and enduring relationship with our Lord never wavered. He loved God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and continued to do so as he was raised into the Lord’s embrace. He was an excellent spiritual leader for his family, and always fulfilled the duties of husband and father faithfully.

Preceded in death by Grandparents, William R. Fletcher, Olah K. Fletcher, and Father-in-Law, Boyd T. Anderson.

He leaves to cherish his memory, loving wife of nearly 32 years, Candy D. Fletcher; children, Ashton (Leah) Fletcher, Samantha (Andrew) Becker, Chandler Fletcher, and Avery Fletcher; parents, Donald and Shannon Fletcher of Oklahoma; brother, Eric (Ruby) Fletcher; Mother-in-Law, Samantha Anderson; Sisters-in-Law, Regina Pope, Dandris (Chuck) Davis, Angela (Eric) Lane, and Debbie Davis Dunn; and Brothers-in-Law Kenya Davis, Pastor Larry (Carrie) Davis, and Bernard (Nina) Davis; as well as his grandson, future son and daughter in-law, and a host of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in Darin’s memory to the EOD Warrior Foundation, 850.729.2336 or https://eodwarriorfoundation.org.