JOHN DARRAH

1938 - 2017

JOHN DARRAH obituary, 1938-2017, Naperville, IL

JOHN DARRAH

1938 - 2017

BORN

1938

DIED

2017

JOHN DARRAH Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 26, 2017.
John Darrah, age 78, devoted husband, loving father of five, loving stepfather of five, proud grandfather of nineteen and doting great-grandfather of three, John (Jack) Walter Darrah passed away peacefully at his home March 23, 2017. Born on December 11, 1938, on Chicago's south side, Jack was the eldest son of Paul and Adele Darrah. Following his graduation from Mt. Carmel High School, Jack went to Loyola University where he graduated with a degree in philosophy. Jack attended night school while working at the Chicago pipeyard. He graduated from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1969. He served as an attorney for the Federal Trade Commission from 1969 to 1971. From 1971 until 1973, he was a Deputy Public Defender for the DuPage County Public Defender's Office. Jack was a DuPage County Assistant State's Attorney from 1973 until 1976. Then, Jack went into private practice at Ryan & Darrah. In 1986, Jack was elected to serve in the State Court, assigned to the Chancery Division of the 18th Judicial Circuit, DuPage County. Jack served in this capacity until 2000, when he was appointed to the United States Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by President Bill Clinton. In addition to his time on the bench, Jack served as an adjunct professor at Northern Illinois University College of Law and The John Marshall Law School. A loyal-to-a-fault White Sox fan and avid fisherman, Jack enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, never missing an opportunity to catch a game or a fish. Jack remained active in the legal community mentoring countless attorneys throughout their careers. Beloved husband of Jeannine Darrah. Cherished father of Jacqueline "Jackie" Darrah (Steve Knapmiller), Nancy (the late Jay) Leinfelder, Paul (Dina Aralles) Darrah, Craig (Andrea Stetz) Darrah, Julie (Brad) Peterson. Father of stepchildren, Lauren (Daniel) Vogley, Justin (Whitney) Custardo, Emily (Dorian) Jarrette, Hillary (Christian) Nunez, and Matthew Custardo. Grandfather to nineteen grandchildren and great-grandfather to three great-grandchildren. Brother of Joan Myers, Jim (Maribeth) Darrah, Joyce Boyer, Sue Carroll, Sharon (Mike) Coogan. Fond brother-in-law of Yvette and Chuck Koubek, Denise and Rick White, Bill and Kathleen Burton, Jamie and Mike Molitor, Bob and Angie Burton. Son-in-law of William and Veronica Burton. Preceded in death by parents Paul and Adele Darrah, son-in-law Jay Leinfelder, brothers-in-law Jim Boyer, John Carroll, Rich Myers, nephew David Myers. In lieu of flowers, please direct all gifts to The Chicago White Sox Charities and the DuPage Bar Foundation. Visitation Sunday, March 26th 1:00-6:00 PM at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540. Mass of Christian Burial Monday, March 27th 11:00 AM at SS. Peter and Paul Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville, IL 60540. Interment at Assumption Cemetery, Wheaton, IL. For more information, please call 630-355-0213 or www.friedrich-jones.com.

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March 20, 2021

Hal Conick posted to the memorial.

August 10, 2018

Harold Conick posted to the memorial.

June 27, 2018

Vincent Beville posted to the memorial.

Hal Conick

March 20, 2021

Judge Darrah was always glad to take time to visit DuPage lawyers who stopped by his courtroom while he was on the Federal bench in Chicago.
He made his decisions based on the law and facts as he saw them. And, he had a wonderful Irish sense of humor which is very important in a field as serious a law. Rest In Peace Judge Darrah.

Harold Conick

August 10, 2018

Judge Darrah will be remembered for being fair in his decisions. He took an interest in his fellow lawyers and kept his sense of humor while maintaining the dignity of his position as a judicial officer.

Vincent Beville

June 27, 2018

Judge Darrah was my Trial Advocacy professor in 2005. Back then, I was nearing graduation, but didn't have money for the text book. Judge Darrah gave me his, and I asked him to sign it. I've been an attorney for 10 years now, and I still have that book. I am so sorry to hear of Judge Darrah's passing. My condolences to his family. He was a really nice person

Jerome O'Connor

April 1, 2017

Proud to call Jack one of the last of the great guys, a lifelong friend and fellow conspirator from Mount Carmel to days of wine and roses and games with the Angels. Johnny we hardly knew ye. From Jerry O'Connor, who will never forget one who walked with God and had something good to say for everyone he knew.

Dwaine Hampton

March 29, 2017

The NICEST MAN WHO WAS KIND AND EMBRACEABLE WHO MADE YOU FEEL YOU WERE IMPORTANT HIS STYLE AND FASHIONABLE YOU COULD RESPECT AND ADMIRE CLASSIC INDIVIDUAL

Michael Stenson

March 28, 2017

I will always treasure our times playing baseball with the Angels. You always got us up with your clever chatter. Very sorry to lose a great "roomie" from Northern. My condolences to your wife and family. May our Lady of Mount Carmel always be close to you.
Michael Stenson

March 27, 2017

The thoughts and prayers of the Mount Carmel High School community are with your family during these days. May the saints of Carmel welcome John into God's eternal embrace and may Our Lady of Mount Carmel wrap you in the mantle of her love and care.
- Mount Carmel High School

Jim Brown

March 26, 2017

We had many classes at Mt Carmel together and many laughs and good times. He is one guy I always remembered from school. My sympathies to his family.

Robert Bina

March 26, 2017

No one in our law class was surprised by Jack's many successes. We are all honored to have known him and shared briefly in his life. Our most sincere condolences to his family.

Dennis Torii

March 26, 2017

Jack, A great attorney,friend,mentor ,best sense of humor,always a smile, a friendly hello,will be missed.

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Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home

44 South Mill Street, Naperville, IL 60540

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Sign JOHN DARRAH's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

March 20, 2021

Hal Conick posted to the memorial.

August 10, 2018

Harold Conick posted to the memorial.

June 27, 2018

Vincent Beville posted to the memorial.