JEFFREY MITCHELL DARLING, age 71 died peacefully in his own home on March 11, 2015 after a short but fatal battle with cancer. Born April 19, 1943 in Los Angeles, CA he grew up in Riverside, CA and that is where he started his career in the Aerospace industry that he loved so much. In the early 80's he moved to San Diego, CA and that is where he met his wife Barbara and they had their precious 30 years of loving and caring for each other. Her job brought them to Florida but after a few years they retired and moved to Surprise, AZ to take care of an elderly uncle. More than just where he lived and what he did, Jeff was the kind of man who always made others feel important and cared for. When his wife had cancer, he shaved her head so she wouldn't have to go through the patches of hair falling out and told her she was absolutely beautiful with a bald head. When an employee wrecked his car and couldn't afford another one, he bought him a car. When he heard about a young man raised by drug addicts needed 21 root canals to save his teeth, he insisted on paying for it even thought he had never met the young man. That is just the kind of person he was. He was grateful for every small deed, every smile and gentle touch. He always took care of those around him, but now he belongs to God. He is survived by his wife Barbara Darling; daughter Colette and son-in-law Brad Lay, their beautiful children, McKenna and Brennan and his son Kenn Darling. Other favorites in his life were his brothers, Brent Darling and Scott Darling; his cousins, Kelli, Kim and Casey and his special friend Larry Houston and his wife Jane. Jeff requested no service but his ashes will be spread over the waters of Catalina and his friends will celebrate his life at a private gathering.
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Published in Press-Enterprise from Mar. 29 to Apr. 5, 2015
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