Darrel Einar Bjorklund, 85, of Pensacola passed away Saturday, March 19, 2016.

Brigadier General "Swede" Bjorklund was born on June 3, 1930 in Bruce, South Dakota to Gustaf and Hannah (Paulson) Bjorklund.

After graduating from Volga (SD) High School in 1948, Darrel enlisted in the Navy. He underwent flight training at Pensacola NAS earning his Naval Aviator wings and was commissioned as a Marine Officer in 1950. He participated in combat operations as a fighter pilot in Korea in 1951-52 and Vietnam in 1966 and 1973. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1975 where he served as Assistant Wing Commander at Cherry Point, NC before retiring in June 1978. Darrel then took his family to Pensacola, FL where he became a flight simulator instructor at NAS and spent the next 30 years taking care of home and family, volunteering in various capacities at Grace Lutheran Church, spending time with friends and family and relaxing at the beach.

Darrel and his high school sweetheart, Myrle Lee Dahl were married 61 years before she passed away on November 23, 2011.

General Bjorklund's medals and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with Combat "V", the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal with Numeral 13.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Myrle Lee (Dahl) Bjorklund; son, Ronald Einar Bjorklund and sister, Darlene Mardel Iverson.

He is survived by son, Richard Lee Bjorklund (Marcia Clark); daughter, Robin Marie Bjorklund (Ed O'Connell); daughter, RheeAnn Bjorklund Hillis (Doug); daughter-in-law, Elaine Bjorklund; sister, Shirley Nichols (Richard); brother-in-law, Lyle Strande; grandsons, John Bjorklund, Andy O'Connell and Matthew Hargus; granddaughter, Hannah Marie Hillis and great-grandson, Tyler Hargus.

The family will receive friends at 9:00am Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Grace Lutheran Church followed by a Memorial Service beginning at 10:00am with Pastor Phifer and Pastor Linck officiating. Inurnment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow the inurnment services at Grace Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 6601 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32504; Covenant Care (Hospice & Alzheimer's services), Donor Services, 5041 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32504 or The ALS Association, Florida Chapter, 3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, FL 33619.

The Bjorklund family would like to express a special thank you to Pastor Phifer, Pastor Linck, the Grace Lutheran Church family and to the caring and quality staffs at Life Care Center of Pensacola and Pacifica Senior Living Carpenter's Creek.