Captain Derek Mears Argel (1977-2005)

Beloved Husband, Father, Brother, Decorated Soldier, Respected Leader, and Hero To All Americans

The family and friends of Captain Derek Argel and the military community of Fort Walton Beach suffered a tragic loss over the Memorial Day weekend on May 30, 2005. While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Captain Derek Argel, age 28, of Hurlburt Field’s 23rd Special Tactics Squadron was killed in an aircraft accident about 80 miles northeast of Baghdad in the desert of Eastern Iraq. A 2001 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Captain Argel was at the very start of what promised to be an extremely successful career as an Air Force Special Tactics Officer. He led from the front and was revered by the men under his command. To those fortunate enough to have known him, Derek will be remembered for his easy smile, his hearty laugh, and his self deprecating sense of humor.

He excelled at every endeavor that he set out to accomplish. A mountain of a man, his mere presence was enough to bring out the best in others. He was strong but caring, competitive but compassionate, imposing but tender. He was a first-class friend and a loving and devoted husband and father. The world is a less colorful place without him. He has been awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for his service to the country in the War on Terrorism.

Derek was survived by his lovely wife and their ten month-old son, his mother, his stepfather, his brother, and grandmother. A funeral was held in Lompoc Cemetery on Friday, June 10, at 1100 in Lompoc CA.

When he was in fifth grade, Derek Argel started showing up at high school water polo practices. He eventually grew to 6-foot-6, became the school’s most valuable player and went on to play at the Air Force Academy. “He worked exceptionally hard. He never took anything for granted,” his athletic director said. Argel loved the water, in addition to playing water polo, he worked as a lifeguard, fished and surfed. He kept fishing poles and surf boards in the garage with hopes of passing his hobbies on to his 11-month son. “He was very adventurous and outdoorsy,” said his aunt, recalling how he used to trek through the woods with her son. “They loved to be out in nature and camp, and go out looking for critters and snakes.” Though he was happiest spending time at the beach and playing with the family’s two dogs, he felt God intended him to be in the military. “He was just a soldier by every means of the imagination” said his wife. ...

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Beloved Husband, Father, Brother, Decorated Soldier, Respected Leader, and Hero To All Americans

The family and friends of Captain Derek Argel and the military community of Fort Walton Beach suffered a tragic loss over the Memorial Day weekend on May 30, 2005. While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Captain Derek Argel, age 28, of Hurlburt Field’s 23rd Special Tactics Squadron was killed in an aircraft accident about 80 miles northeast of Baghdad in the desert of Eastern Iraq. A 2001 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Captain Argel was at the very start of what promised to be an extremely successful career as an Air Force Special Tactics Officer. He led from the front and was revered by the men under his command. To those fortunate enough to have known him, Derek will be remembered for his easy smile, his hearty laugh, and his self deprecating sense of humor.

He excelled at every endeavor that he set out to accomplish. A mountain of a man, his mere presence was enough to bring out the best in others. He was strong but caring, competitive but compassionate, imposing but tender. He was a first-class friend and a loving and devoted husband and father. The world is a less colorful place without him. He has been awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for his service to the country in the War on Terrorism.

Derek was survived by his lovely wife and their ten month-old son, his mother, his stepfather, his brother, and grandmother. A funeral was held in Lompoc Cemetery on Friday, June 10, at 1100 in Lompoc CA.

When he was in fifth grade, Derek Argel started showing up at high school water polo practices. He eventually grew to 6-foot-6, became the school’s most valuable player and went on to play at the Air Force Academy. “He worked exceptionally hard. He never took anything for granted,” his athletic director said. Argel loved the water, in addition to playing water polo, he worked as a lifeguard, fished and surfed. He kept fishing poles and surf boards in the garage with hopes of passing his hobbies on to his 11-month son. “He was very adventurous and outdoorsy,” said his aunt, recalling how he used to trek through the woods with her son. “They loved to be out in nature and camp, and go out looking for critters and snakes.” Though he was happiest spending time at the beach and playing with the family’s two dogs, he felt God intended him to be in the military. “He was just a soldier by every means of the imagination” said his wife.

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