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Alphonzo Darling Obituary
Naples, FL
Alphonzo Beauregard Council
Darling III (Count) was born
September 28, 1933 in Andalusia, Alabama, the son of Count and Eva May
Darling. He attended Georgia
Military Academy prep school, the University of the South (Sewanee) and the University of Alabama.
Count had four children during his first marriage: Dawn Darling (Larry Jones) of Jacksonville, Florida; Count Darling (Lisa) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Wendy Darling (Terry
Wilfong) of Peachtree City, Georgia; and Eve Darling
(Thomas Keough)of southwest France. Among them are nine grandchildren: Erika and Gretchen Gludovatz;
Tiffany, Ashley and Beau Darling; Diane and Nora Wilfong; and
Remington and Deirdre Keough; along with great grandchildren and nieces Betty, Robin and nephew Donny. He is also survived by numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Betty and Jean.
He married Janie Upward of Birmingham, Michigan in 1982 and they have lived in Naples Florida since 1995. They belong to Royal Poinciana Golf Club, Hole in the Wall Golf Club and Wilderness Country Club.
Count served in the US Army 1954-1956 and although not airborne qualified, he was attached at different times to both the 101st and 82nd Airborne Division and to the 7th Army during his tour in Germany. After the Army, Count entered the family business which included a Chevrolet-
Cadillac dealership and wholesale Amoco petroleum
products distributorship.
He left the family business and became a partner in a sales and management consulting firm, Williamson, Merrill, Taylor and Darling, based in Birmingham, Alabama, specializing in the automotive industry. Count ran the Birmingham,
Michigan office with Pontiac Motor Division, Cadillac Motor Division and General Motors Corporation as his major
clients.
D'Arcy, McManus Masius acquired the Michigan operation and formed Intergroup Marketing and Promotions (IMP). Count's greatest love during his working years as CEO of IMP was being the liaison between the Ad Agency corporate management and the GM senior management. Count had a unique talent as a speechwriter and over three decades served in this capacity to many of GM's key executives.
Count believed in what he termed "paying his civic rent". His past civic and social activities include Rotary
International, District VP of the Alabama Republican Party, Commodore of the Pine Harbor Yacht Club, Trustee of the Detroit Historical Society, and Vice President of the Board of Bloomfield Hills Country Club. He was very proud of his role as Chairman of the Founders Fund at the Club Pelican Bay. He also served on the Board of Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, and he never tired of telling anyone who would listen about this wonderful faith-based organization. As well, he proudly served as a volunteer at the Neighborhood Health Clinic in Naples.
Count's interests included writing, history, golf, boating, fishing, travel, Alabama Football and Ground Hogs Day. He was a true Southern Gentleman who loved life and loved his family and friends. He had a great sense of humor and no one told jokes as well as Count did. ROLL TIDE!
A memorial service celebrating Count's life will be held on Thursday, April 25 at 4pm at Trinity by the Cove Episcopal Church in Naples. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Habitat for Humanity, the Neighborhood Health Clinic, the Founders Fund or the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society in Harbor Springs, Michigan.
He will be laid to rest in Andalusia, Alabama.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Alphonzo Darling
Maggie Mantia
May 5, 2019
Count was the consummate Southern Gentleman: polite & charming & handsome. Richard & I adored listening to him....he was a world-class storyteller. His respect & love for Janie, his children, his dogs & Groundhogs Day are paramount in our minds. God rest his beautiful soul. Maggie Mantia
April 20, 2019
As you remember your love one, as God heals your broken hearts (Psalm 147:3), may your treasured memories continue to bring you peace, comfort, and strength to endure.
Vince Lizzio
April 19, 2019
I will always be grateful to Count for his interest in developing young talent -- especially at IMP. He was a great teacher who led by example. So many of his young professionals went on to have wonderful careers and became leaders in our industry. I can remember his advice after my first presentation to a room full of auto executives. "Remember, it's about 'we' not "I" -- and its about we 'can' do it -- never 'could' -- what great advice. God Bless Count Darling -- and thank you for loving us kids.
Ellen Noneman
April 19, 2019
To the family of Count Darling,
Count was a great neighbor in Harbor Springs. We too, enjoyed his stories and his love for his dogs. Our sincerest sympathy to you Jane, and his family. God Bless
Tom and Ellen Noneman
April 17, 2019
Count was a mentor and an inspiration, even to those with zero experience. I will never forget his wise advise and love Groundhog's Day. Prayers to all his family and friends
- Jen Haselhuhn
Ray Serafin
April 17, 2019
Count was the best storyteller that I ever encountered, and a man who was gracious with all. He was my mentor when I transitioned from journalism to speechwriting and I will always be grateful for what he did for me personally. And every Groundhog Day I will still think of the cards that he sent out. Rest in peace, memory eternal.
Unveiling our IMP logo
Patrice Nolan
April 16, 2019
Count taught his gang of kids at IMP how to make our clients heroes and tell their stories with clarity and enthusiasm. I am indebted to him for his mentorship as a young wannabe writer and for his steadfast affection through the years. I still quote him in some way or another pretty much every week.
Hope he is teaching the angels how to do the Andalusia Shuffle.
Blessings, love and hugs to the family,
Patty Nolan (and Cap'n Tom)
April 16, 2019
My sincere sympathy for you loss, may the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1. Give you strength and comfort you with peace during this most difficult time of deep sorrow. Arlene Ny.
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