Clyde F. Satterfield

Clyde Franklin Satterfield passed away on February 2, 2025, age 91, surrounded by his family. He was born March 8, 1933 in Salem, Arkansas to parents David and Zora Satterfield, the third of four sons. The family moved to Washington State in 1946.

Clyde graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1950 and attended Wenatchee Junior College. He transferred to the University of Washington and graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor Degree in Geography. While there, he was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity and met his first wife, Marjorie Bragdon, at a dance. Clyde and Marjorie were married March 24, 1955 and had a 22-year marriage. They had three children: Lynda Marie in 1956, Karen Ann in 1959 and James Alan in 1964. Lynda was born while Clyde was stationed in Adak, Alaska after being drafted into the Navy post college.

Clyde had a 40-year career with United Airlines, starting as a ticket agent. He moved his family to Denver in 1965 when the United Flight Training Center opened and worked as a Flight Operations Instructor on DC-8s and DC-10s. His last year of service he flew in the second officer chair on aircraft and retired as a Flight Operations Instructor Manager. Clyde could identify aircraft from the ground, which always amazed other onlookers.

Clyde married Henny Loetsch on July 15, 1978. They made their home in Aurora, Colorado and enjoyed being “snowbirds” for over 20 years, staying permanently in Arizona for a few years before returning to Colorado in 2022 to be near family. Clyde was a longtime member of Oro Valley UCC Church. He loved socializing with members and helping with the annual rummage sale. Wherever they called home, Clyde and Henny developed strong ties with neighbors and had numerous social groups they enjoyed, including their bocce ball group. There was always a pot luck or birthday party to attend!

Clyde and Henny made numerous trips to Germany to visit Henny’s family, and Clyde was loved by them all. They also entertained many European family and friends and showed them the best of the American West. Clyde and Henny hosted several high school exchange students, and have maintained lifelong relationships with Ale from Uruguay, Nelly from Chile and Maria from Spain.

Friends and family will remember Clyde as an honest and sincere man, quiet and patient, helpful and understanding. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Henny Satterfield, his children Lynda Heckendorn of Aurora CO, Karen Elbrader (Roger) of Fort Collins CO and Jim Satterfield (Karen) of Livonia MI, his grandchildren Lyla Elbrader of Loveland CO and Cody Elbrader of Fort Collins CO, and great grandson Xavier Angulo-Elbrader of Fort Collins CO. He also leaves behind his brother Leonard Satterfield (Diane), sister-in-law Lue Satterfield, plus many nieces and nephews, both in the United States and Germany. Clyde is preceded in death by his parents, David Satterfield and Zora Satterfield, his infant sister, Veda Satterfield, his brothers Jewell Satterfield and Ode Satterfield, and his stepmother, Dorothy Satterfield.

A Celebration of Life will be held March 4, 2025, 2:00 pm, at Heritage Eagle Bend Clubhouse, Aurora CO.

Donations may be made to Orbis International, which is a non-profit that transports doctors to third-world countries to perform eye surgeries. Clyde was a four-year volunteer on the Orbis DC-10, serving as Flight Engineer.

Donations may also be made to Zero Cancer, a program Clyde participated in, and was thankful for the information provided to stay informed.