Derek Frederic Durling

Derek Frederick Durling lived a life of many moving parts, they finally stopped moving on Friday April 2nd, 2021 when he passed away in Huntsville Hospital after a 2 year struggle with cancer.

Derek was born in Croydon, London, England to Gladys and Frederick Durling on 16 April 1934. At the age of 7 he watched the Battle of Britain unfold above him over Southern England, this was the seed of his ambition to be a fighter pilot.

Derek is survived by his wife Eve Durling, and his two sons and their families.

Russ Durling of Toney AL, (and wife Julie) their two children Sarah Fordyce (and husband Mark) and Mark Durling (and wife Vanessa) and three great grandsons, Peter, Oliver and Sam.

Aidan Durling of Doncaster England, (wife Anne), their two children Matthew and Emma and great granddaughter Jade.

Derek joined the Royal Air Force in 1954, qualified as a pilot and was posted to fly Meteor jet fighters later Javelins and Lightning fighters.  When he retired he channeled his energies into sailing and he sailed the world in his beloved ‘Silent Knight’ with his wife of 25 years Judith Moore Durling(deceased). Later he purchased his dream schooner ‘Principles’ and set up home with his new wife Eve Robinson Durling at Treasure Cay on Abaco in the Bahamas, with Principals moored at the bottom of the garden.

Derek and Eve participated in many schooner races up and down the east coast of the USA, and won their fair share. They spent many happy days, sailing around the Bahamian islands before their home and yacht ‘Principles’ were destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

After a 6 month stay in the UK, with Eve’s son Malcolm, Derek and Eve moved to live in Alabama to be near Derek’s son Russ.

Ever the adventurer Derek never stopped dreaming of rebuilding his home in the Bahamas and buying another boat to once again sail out upon the high seas.