Thomas "Ray" Darden

Thomas "Ray" Darden, 85, of Tullahoma, passed away on January 16, 2026, at Vanderbilt Tullahoma – Harton Hospital. Born on January 22, 1940, in Normandy, Tennessee, to Andrew Newton "Jack" Darden and Jessie Lucille Coop Darden. Ray attended Fairview and Jones Elementary schools, East Junior High and graduated from Tullahoma High School.

Ray was a devoted husband to his wife, JoAnne Plunkett Darden, and a loving father to their two children: Thomas Ray Darden, Jr. and Joy L. Darden White. Ray and JoAnne were high school sweethearts. They were married for more than 64 years and inseparable for 68 years.

Ray worked various jobs after graduating, met many people along the way and made lifelong friends. After serving the citizens of Tullahoma as a Tullahoma Police Sergeant in the 1960's and City of Tullahoma Fireman, he went on to work for Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Works of Tullahoma for thirty-three years. He retired in 2004 as the Advertising Department Supervisor.

Ray had many interests outside of his work life and fishing was a favorite! He and JoAnne shared the love of fishing and spent many hours and days and nights traveling and fishing in the middle Tennessee and north Alabama areas. His brothers and daughter would sometimes drag him off to the river for some trout fishing. Catfishing at midnight, trout fishing in the river, and Sauger fishing in the snow! He loved it all!

He grew up in a family of carpenters. He loved to work in his wood shop and could build just about anything – large or small. He loved the challenge of creating his own designs.

Ray also had a love for food! He cooked often when on duty as a fireman and his love of food moved him to join up with lifelong friend, Cliff Weddington, and become an award-winning rib smoker with Oink, Cackle & Moo Competition BBQ Team. Ray traveled with the BBQ Team for several years and made some great friends along the way.

Whether it was cutting and hauling firewood, water skiing, fishing, camping, building, cooking, or eating – Ray was always ready to go and have some fun! He was always kind, generous, and easy-going.

He will always be loved and always be remembered!

Ray is survived by his wife, JoAnne; children, Tommy (Cam) and Joy; grandchildren, Tabitha Darden (Tyler) Sehorne, and Thomas Riley Darden (girlfriend Cassidy Phillips); great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Grace "Ellie" Sehorne and Emmaline Faith "Emmie" Sehorne; his brothers, Roy Darden, Ron (Judy) Darden, Glen (Peggy) Darden, Richard (Carol) Darden, John (Vina) Darden, and Dan (Teresa) Darden; sister-in-law, Dianna Hall Darden, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Lucille Darden; brother, Don Darden; sister, Gail Darden Sons; brother-in-law, Ronald Dale Sons; and son-in-law, John R. White.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at from 11:00am – 1:00pm at Kilgore Funeral Home in Tullahoma. The funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Kilgore Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Jim Sanders officiating. Interment to follow funeral service at Hoover's Grove Cemetery, Moore County, Tennessee with Tommy Darden, Riley Darden, Tyler Sehorne, Danny Owens, Greg Gann, and Haden Eggleston serving as pallbearers. A special and heartfelt thank you is extended from Ray's family to all the staff who cared for him at Vanderbilt Tullahoma – Harton Hospital, NHC Healthcare (Tullahoma), Senior Advantage (Winchester), and Compassus Hospice (Tullahoma). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Dementia Society of America in Ray's memory.