From the time he was a teenager, David Biggs of Stockbridge dreamed of a career in aviation.

  After more than four decades in his chosen field, his friends and co-workers came together to celebrate the success of a man who now faces a number of health struggles.

  David, 64, of Stockbridge officially retired from Delta Airlines October 1, after 43 years on the job. Benton Village in Stockbridge hosted a retirement celebration for him September 30.

  Biggs’ passion for aviation began in the mid-1970s, when he took flying lessons at the Cessna Pilot Center at Miami-Opa Locka Airport, said his wife, Darlene.

  “He received his private pilot’s license at age 17,” said Darlene. “He began his career at Delta in May 1977 at Miami International Airport, where he was hired for a temporary, part-time position.  He worked as a Cabin Service Agent, cleaning planes, as well as a Baggage Agent handling lost, damaged, and unclaimed baggage.”

  David later drove a truck for Delta, delivering supplies. He then studied at Atlanta Area Technical School for two years to be an aircraft mechanic, graduating with honors.

  He continued working for the airline until March of last year, when he suffered three strokes while at work. As a result, he began experiencing physical and cognitive issues that continue to affect his ability to walk properly, said Darlene .

  “He started walking sideways and couldn’t control it,” she said, adding that David also now has issues with his short-term memory. “We came home after [the strokes] and there were a lot of issues trying to get disability. I was a full-time caregiver, but I had a stroke on January 1 of this year, and that prompted us to move him to assisted living until I could get better.”

  David’s strokes, she said, resulted from radiation treatment following a health scare from more than 20 years ago.

  “In 1998, he had a brain tumor, but he had radiation treatment and went back to work,” said Darlene.

  David’s medical issues continued in the months after his strokes. Although he was considered employed by Delta, David remained inactive until his retirement. His wife said when the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the nation earlier this year, further limits on their time together were put into place.

  “He’s still in isolation due to COVID restrictions,” said Darlene. “My doctors have told me I cannot be a full-time caregiver anymore. My goal is for us to have as normal life as we can, with a safe environment.”

  During the retirement celebration, David received a plaque depicting a fan blade from the CF-34 engine that he worked on, to commemorate his years of service at Delta, said his wife, Darlene.

  “David’s supervisor made a point to get that for him,” she said. “We heard that 80 percent of the guys that retired a few months ago did not get one because of cost.”

  Darlene said her husband’s ability to communicate is limited because of his strokes, but that he appreciated those who wished him well upon his retirement.

  “I had a cake for the staff and residents at Benton,” she said. “I was trying to give David as much recognition as I could, so it could go on all day long.”

  Darlene said she is grateful for the chance to celebrate David’s retirement with him. She said his family was not allowed to see him a month ago but that Benton Village has since begun to allow visitation periods for their residents.

  Darlene said she and David are clinging to their faith as they endure his health challenges.

  “The Lord is totally in control. It’s not a mistake, He’s got a plan and a purpose. I’ve seen God work in so many ways through this.

  The couple plan to move in the future to be closer to their family, which includes their son, Justin, and their daughter, Tamara Jarett. Darlene said she is particularly grateful to the staff at Benton Village, for the care that David receives.

  “Benton Village is awesome,” she said. “He’s well taken care of. I do sleep well at night, I know he’s taken care of and that’s huge.”

  Justin Biggs of Athens, put together a video to mark his dad’s retirement. The video features well-wishes from several of Davids co-workers and friends.

  Justin Biggs said he appreciated the opportunity to create a meaningful moment for his father. The son also emphasized the growth that Delta has experienced over the years.

  “Delta passengers have traveled 4.2 billion miles while he’s been there,” said Justin. “The year he started, they flew half a milllion flights, and last year they did 1.2 million. Maybe even more staggering is, the year he started in 1977, Delta served 30.5 million passengers. In 2019 they served 162.2 million.

  “My dad didn’t feel that he had done very much, but it’s people getting up and going to work every day that makes our country great and makes it run,” continued Justin Biggs. “Many people don’t take the time to pause in the ‘busyness’ of their life to appreciate the significance of their accomplishments.”

  Greg Sells has worked as a lead mechanic at Delta for about a year and a half, and has known David for about five years. Sells credited Biggs for his leadership at work, saying Biggs “was an integral part in the assembly of the CF-34 engine for years.”

  “He was sort of a go-to guy about those things and could be relied upon,” said Sells. “Whatever he did, he could be relied up to put quality into what he was doing.”

  Sells described Biggs as a devoted family man with whom he has developed a strong friendship.

  “He’s actually quite amazing. He loves his family, and he loves to talk about them,” said Sells.  “We’re both believers in God, and you could tell that was the foundation he operated from.”

  Sells recalled that Biggs wasn’t feeling well prior to his trio of strokes, but that he didn’t let it get in the way of his work on that day.

  “In spite of the fact that it was an ‘off’ day for him, it didn’t stop him,” said Sells. “He was determined to get stuff done. They don’t make ‘em like David Biggs anymore.”