James Darling

James Patrick Darling, Colonel (ret.) U.S. Army National Guard, 79, died July 14, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn. He was born on Aug. 30, 1937, in Beaumont Texas and grew up in Knoxville, Tenn. He graduated from Central High School in Knoxville and attended Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tenn., where he received his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. He was a member of the national engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi, the mathematics honor society Kappa Mu Epsilon, and the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers. After college, he accepted a position with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga. He received his Masters of Science in industrial engineering from Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., as a National Institute of Public Affairs fellow in systematic analysis. He later received a Master’s Degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee. Over his career at TVA, he held multiple positions including Directorships of Power Resource Planning, Power Supply Operations and Nuclear Power. He retired from TVA in 1988. In addition to his civilian career as an engineer, he had an active military career in the Tennessee Army National Guard. Col. Darling was the Commander of the 196th Field Artillery Brigade. He was awarded the Legion of Merit in 1991 for outstanding service while serving as Brigade Commander during Operation Desert Storm in Iraqi. After serving his country for more than 36 years, he retired from the military in 1995. During his military service, Col. Darling received many service decorations including a second Legion of Merit for his overall distinguished service as an energetic and knowledgeable leader, Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the Ancient Order of St. Barbara, the highest award given by the Army Field Artillery Association. James was a member of Christ Church Episcopal for many years and served as treasurer as well as a vestryman. He will be remembered by most for his intellect and resourcefulness coupled with great modesty, often crediting others for successes. He could fix almost anything, many times designing his own tool or apparatus when none existed. He was reserved but compassionate with a personal and professional sense of responsibility. The Family Support Center at the National Guard Armory in Chattanooga is dedicated to Col. Darling and his wife Barbara. He was an avid reader who usually enjoyed 3 books of different genres at one time including military history, business and fiction. He was particularly fond of books by Ernest Hemingway, having read them all multiple times. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Reginald Darling and Hazel Pritchett Darling, of Knoxville, Tenn.; a sister, Diane Darling Schwanger, of Pinehurst, N.C.; and his faithful Boston Terrier, Petey. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara Underdown Darling; and daughter, Dr. Jama M. Darling, of Chapel Hill, N.C. He was a loving husband and father who will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held on July 24, at 4 p.m. in the Chapel of St Timothy’s Episcopal Church on Signal Mountain with The Rev. Derrick Hill to officiate. The family will receive friends at 3 p.m. in the parish hall. The family wishes to thank many of his nurses and CNA’s at Alexian Health and Rehabilitation Center as well as his Neurologist and staff for their tireless efforts over the past few years. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy Research Center or the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 404 S. Moore Road.