John Darling
1933 - 2021
John Darling
1933 - 2021
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1933
DIED
2021
John Darling Obituary
May 23, 1933 - June 28, 2021
Sacramento, California - John (Rick) Darling was born in San Francisco on May 23, 1933 and passed away peacefully in Sacramento on June 28, 2021. He grew up in San Francisco and attended George Washington HS, where he met Nancy Barbara Luscombe, whom he married in December 1952. John joined the Army and was sent to Germany to serve during the Korean War. He obtained his BA in English and in 1958 took his first teaching job at Hiram Johnson HS in Sacramento. In 1962 he became English Dept Chair at Luther Burbank HS. He also taught English at SCC and Folsom Prison, and coached his children's baseball and softball teams. In 1973, he obtained his MA in English from CSUS, and became Dean of Students at Burbank in the late '70's. After being the VP at Goethe Middle School in 1980, he returned to the classroom to teach at McClatchy HS through his retirement in 1994.
John and Nancy forged many lifelong friendships in Sacramento. After raising three children, they spent many years traveling with friends and being with their grandchildren. John was active in Bethany Presbyterian Church, loved the SF Giants and 49'ers, classical music, travelling, and reading. After Nancy's death in 2004, John found love again and married Gladys Dionisio in 2007. John and Gladys enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and world, and being with their children and grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by parents Gladys Gale and Henry Gilbert Darling; brother William, and sister Sheila Baumgartner. John is survived by his wife Gladys, daughter Linda Darling, sons Gary (Cheri) and Matthew (Chrisand); 6 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson, and several step-children and step-grandchildren.
Service will be held on Saturday, July 17th, 2021, 2:00pm at East Lawn Elk Grove. For a detailed obituary, directions and more info, go to https://www.eastlawn.com/locations/elk-grove/. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Umps Care Charity (UmpsCare.com), Alzheimer's Association (alz.org), or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jeffrey Beecroft
February 27, 2023
John Darling, was a wonderful teacher and every class with him seemed to inspire an idea. For me Mr. Darling inspired with the gift of theater, language and kindness. He facilitated a trip for our entire English class to a weekend of 4 plays, at the Ashland Shakespeare Festival. That love of theater changed my life. I eventually became an associate designer at the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. I was fortunate enough to also receive an Academy award nomination as well. All of this, because John instilled the love of the arts in our classes. He continues to inspire, he will be missed. He is missed.
Ray Block Jr.
September 22, 2021
I took an English class with John Darling back when I was at Sac City. The memory's are still vivid. This tall guy, with our graded essays folded up in his back pocket, making Shakespeare come to like. He made the material relatable. And he believed in me (all of his students).
I remember he passed me back my final paper (which was a reading of Othello through a racial lens), and told me that I would make a good teacher one day. At the time, I thought he was joking: I was a jock (wrestling team) that was only at SCC because a coach recruited me. But again, John believed in me. I ended up continuing my education after, and I got my PhD. Now I am a teacher who hopes to inspire students the way John inspired me.
Rest in power, Professor! And thank you for believing in me!
Nina Vigil
July 17, 2021
I´m sorry to hear of John´s passing. He was such a strong and positive presence and teacher at CKM. I remember him fondly.
Daniel Whiteneck
July 17, 2021
From playing baseball at parkway little league with Gary to working side by side with John at McClatchy, his devotion to family and humor and dedication to work made a lasting impression. He was a great teacher and it was a privilege to work side by side with him for a few years. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
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Karen Leitzell Vick
July 17, 2021
There are just certain people that walk into your life that have a lasting impression on you... Mr Darling was one of those people for me and a million others! He asked me to work in the office answering phones, I was invited to his charitable functions to help with behind the scenes, he counseled me about staying in school my senior year and doing ROP to get my realestate license instead of graduating a year early! I always went to his office first for advice on many HS issues and he always gave me sound advice! I´m sorry that I never got to tell him how important he was to me growing up!
Margie Ratto-Young
July 16, 2021
Dear Gladys and family, I will have many memories of discussing baseball with John, especially his love of the Giants and mine of the A's. He will be missed. Love Margie Ratto-Young
Mark and Jeanne Benuzzi
July 16, 2021
Your Dad's love, his laugh, the memories you made...
the life lessons that will always stay with you...
These are his gift to you!
We are so sorry for the loss of your father. Please accept our condolences and let us know if there's anything we can do to help during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones right now. We hope you're able to find peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Love Mark, Jeanne, Stacey Ryan, Lauren and Giana
Greg Meeks
July 16, 2021
My thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the family of a GREAT Man. Linda, Gary, and Matt, know that he touched many lives in his life.
Greg Meeks LBHS Class of "82"
Laura Kneppel
July 15, 2021
Linda, Gary and Matthew, I was sad to read of your dad's passing. Even though it has been many years, I still have extremely fond memories of your family as part of my childhood. I particularly loved your dad's telling of the long joke stories with the pun endings. He will always be remembered with a smile by all of us whose lives he touched in one way or another.
Kathy Frank
July 13, 2021
John was such a lovely man, such a big part of Bethany and we will always remember him. May God give you all comfort in your memories.
David M. Glass
July 12, 2021
My condolences to the Darling family.
I graduated from Luther Burbank in 1966. It was a terrific school then and Mr. Darling was a charismatic star of its faculty. I particularly remember one March 17th when one of the girls in the class asked if we were going to do anything to celebrate St. Patrick´s
Day. He reached into his jacket, produced an orange scarf, tacked it to the front of the room, and said, "No. I´m an English teacher."
Patricia Glunt
July 11, 2021
My condolences to the Darling family. I remember Mr. Darling as a wonderful teacher at Burbank and I´m sure my brother had him at Johnson. Linda, I wish you great strength through this difficult time. Pat
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