Dr. John "Scott" Darwin

John Scott Darwin (August 30, 1945 - January 29, 2026), beloved husband, brother, uncle, and friend, died peacefully at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Scott cherished his family and friends. He was predeceased by his mother, Daphne Elise Darwin; his father, William Garland Darwin; and his sister-in-law, Beverly Darwin. Scott is survived by his husband, Thomas Teoh, his brothers, Gary, and Kent (Kay), his sister, Donna (Gary Scoggin), and a beloved host of nieces and nephews: Leslie Darwin O’Brien (Tim), Missy Darwin Kincaid (Bill), Amy Darwin (Everett Ayers), Susana Darwin (Amy Washburn), Neal Scoggin (Janice Clove), and Nancy Scoggin (Raymond Marst0n). Scott had a distinguished career as a professor of German at Arkansas State University, where he taught from 1969 to 2008. He took an active interest in his students. His office door was always open, and many of his students became lifelong friends. Scott was selected for the Distinguished Faculty Wall of Honor in 2014. As a deeply committed member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Scott cherished the liturgy and music and was grateful to meet such lovely people who enriched his spiritual life. Scott loved Jonesboro and was known to take on "city hall" occasionally to resist what he considered thoughtless or unsightly development. When the V.C. Kays house on the ASU campus was in danger of being razed, Scott joined the successful effort to save and renovate the historic 1936 home. For his efforts, he received the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Preservation Advocacy.

Scott lived locally underfoot. There were regular sightings of him picking up roadside litter in his neighborhood, something he'd do once a week. When HIV first began to spread, Scott worked with RAIN (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network). As a volunteer, he would sit with those suffering from this disease in the last stages, primarily gay men who had been abandoned to die alone by their friends and family. He was also actively involved with the Helping Neighbors Food Pantry. In whatever capacity he could, Scott was always willing and available to assist any neighbor in need.

Scott's interests included gardening, traveling, reading, music, hiking, scuba diving, and sailing; he was an avid swimmer throughout his life. He cherished Yellowstone National Park, first volunteering as a "gas jockey" in the summer of 1965, then later, after retiring, returning to volunteer in the gift shop for three more summers, 2008 - 20010.

Simple, direct gratitude was the constant refrain of Scott's life. He saw each day as a big, undeserved blessing from God, one that astonished and filled him with wonder, even as his health declined over the last year. Thomas Teoh was the love of his life. Together, they built a whole new life and travelled all over the world.

Scott's family is grateful for the excellent and compassionate care he received from his medical caregivers and for the many friends who visited and provided support. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 21, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church (531 West College Avenue, Jonesboro, AR), followed by a brief interment of ashes service in St Mark's columbarium. All are invited afterward to a reception and meal in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to St. Mark's Episcopal Church (531 West College Avenue, Jonesboro, AR 72401), Camp Mitchell Episcopal Camps and Conference Center (Camp Mitchell LLC, PO Box 1388, Conway, AR 72033), or Helping Neighbors Food Pantry (501 West Highland, Jonesboro, AR 72401).