YORKTOWN, Virginia - Wayne L. Darnell, 73, passed away on July 3, after a 13 year battle with leukemia.

He was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, and graduated from Hutchinson High School and Wichita State University, where he studied physics and sciences.

He joined NASA Langley in 1962, and retired in 1995, as assistant branch head in Radiation Sciences Branch of the Atmospheric Sciences Division and was a senior research scientist leading a group specializing in the study of surface radiation as it relates to climate change. He authored and co-authored numerous papers in scientific journals during his career at NASA.

Wayne was an ordained Deacon and elder at Yorkminster Presbyterian Church in Grafton, Va. He sang in the choir, was a Stephen Minister, and served on numerous committees over the years.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara of Yorktown, his son, Mark and his wife Kristin and grandchildren, Mitchell and Meredith of Issaquah, Wash. He is also survived by his sister, Joan Arnold and husband Loran of Hutchinson, Kansas; brother, Jerry Darnell and wife Carol of Columbia, Mo.; and brother, Wes and wife Carole of Wichita, Kansas. He also is survived by aunts in the Hutchinson area, Fern Wingert, Wauneta Darnell, Virginia Davis and husband Easter, and Eva Dick and husband Arthur and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents Terrill and Martha Darnell of Hutchinson, Kansas.

A celebration of life service will be held at Yorkminster Presbyterian Church in Grafton, on Tuesday July 8, 2008, at 2 p.m. A graveside service will be held in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, Kansas at 3 p.m. Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial to the Yorkminster Capital Fund would be appreciated (Yorkminster Presbyterian Church, 6218 George Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown, Va., 23692). His casket will remain closed and there will be no calling hours.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave condolences for the family.