Honorees

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Year Honored
2011
Honoree
Stephen Durler
Agency
CareFlite
Agency City
Grand Prairie
Agency State
TX
Last Call
6/2/10
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
Stephen T. Durler was born at Corpus Christi, Texas on May 5, 1987, the fourth child of David and Mary Durler. He had three sisters: Katy, Laura, and Sarah. The family moved to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in 1988. Stephen was active in Boy Scouts and earned the Eagle rank in 2005. A 2005 graduate of Broken Arrow High School, he attended Tulsa Technology Center where he studied to earn his degree in aviation maintenance. Stephen loved the outdoors, particular camping and any climbing sport. His beloved dog, Foster, was always at his side.<br /> <br /> He received his AMP in 2005 and began work as a mechanic on fixed wing aircraft for Christianson Aviation at Jones Airport in Jenks, Oklahoma. During this time, he also began lessons to receive a private pilot's license to fly helicopters; he received his license in 2008.<br /> <br /> Stephen moved to Dallas to advance his career and eventually earned a commercial pilot's license to fly helicopters. At the time of his passing, he was employed as a mechanic for CareFlite, Grand Prairie, Texas. On the afternoon of June 2, 2010 Stephen accompanied Guy del Giudice, the pilot, on a maintenance check flight for a Bell 222U helicopter that was to enter service for CareFlite. The aircraft crashed outside Midlothian, Texas.<br /> <br /> Honored 2011