Jimmy Darling

Jimmy (Jim) Darling
1930-2022
Jim Darling, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully in Houston on February 2, 2022.
Jim was born on a farm near Abilene, Texas on June 30, 1930, to Roselle and Everett Darling as the oldest of three siblings. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1948. Jim was determined to get a college education. For his first two years, he attended John Tarleton Junior College. After Tarleton, Jim enrolled at Texas A&M College and became a member of the Class of 1952, achieving honor roll and graduating with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. While at college, he met Ruth Schrader from nearby Lyons. They married in 1952. Shortly thereafter, Jim was hired by Lutcher Lumber Company to do surveying work, and he and Ruth packed up and headed to Orange, Texas. Their two daughters, Daree and Danna, were born there. The family moved to Houston in 1962, where Jim joined National Gypsum and excelled in sales, later advancing to regional manager. After jobs with Vaughn and Sons and Davidson Texas, ending in 1983, Jim decided to form his own company and sourced stockholders and capital to form Merit Millwork. Specializing in windows, doors, and custom millwork, Merit became Jim's pride and joy over the course of its 24-year run in Tomball.
In their retirement, Jim and Ruth developed an appreciation for world travel and made countless trips that included nearly every part of the world. They deemed travel a learning experience, greatly enriching their lives and shaping their value system. An avid Aggie, he was a member of the Texas A&M Former Students Association and the Twelfth Man Foundation. Jim also participated in the American Millwork Distributors Association, the Tomball Chamber of Commerce, and Habitat for Humanity. For the last 30 years, Jim served on the Board of Directors for Chasewood Bank. Jim's highest priorities were his Lord and his family. He was an active church member and served in many roles while being a generous donor. He and Ruth were members of Cypress Creek Christian Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Roselle Darling, and his daughter, Danna Darling Murphy. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughter, Daree Stracke and husband Peter Stracke; brother Thomas Darling and sister Mary Brooks; grandchildren, Caitlin Murphy, Jack Murphy and wife Kelsey Murphy, Jay Stracke, and Julie Stracke; great grandchildren, Annie Murphy and Coen Murphy; and son-in-law, Larry Murphy. A reception will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, on February 11th, at the Cypress Creek Christian Church, 6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring, Texas. A service will be held at 2:00 pm immediately thereafter. A complete obituary can be seen at legacy.com under Jimmy Darling.