James Peter Darlington

James Peter "Pete" Darlington, 72, passed away peacefully on 12/27/2025 at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo holding the hand of his dear wife of 42 years, Cindy.

Born in New York City, Pete was raised in Greenwich, CT and Lake Placid, NY and was the beloved son of the late Enid Darlington Brown and Peter Darlington. Pete graduated from Northwood School in Lake Placid and attended the University of Denver. He started his flying career as a crop duster in Colorado and then moved on to being a bush pilot in Alaska in the Aleutian chain and the Cordova area. He flew for several airlines and he liked to joke that they all ended up going out of business.

Pete enjoyed watching motorcycle racing as well as dakar and downhill ski racing. He thrived on speed himself and raced motorcycle flat track and was an excellent ski racer as well as waterskier. He was a wonderful friend to many people and would help them whenever they needed him. He loved living in Utah and looking for ancient Anasazi ruins. He was an avid reader of Clive Cussler.

Those who met Pete, appreciated his vast knowledge and his interesting life full of many exciting adventures. He loved deep sea fishing and he caught, tagged and released 17 blue marlin. His wife likes to say she was the best first mate he ever had when they went deep sea fishing and in life.

Pete is lovingly remembered by his wife Cindy Kuklis Darlington and his sisters Dorothy Darlington of Stamford, CT, Alice Cutler (Robert Bensley) of Morristown, NJ and Caroline (Matthew) Roy of Lake Placid, NY as well as 9 nieces and nephews.



If you wish to recognize Pete's life, please make a gift in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html.

Pete's service was private. Arrangements were made by Premier Funeral Services in Orem, Utah.