He was preceded in death by his wife, Mitz; and is survived by his daughter, Carol Darling Adelman of Bandera, TX and son-in-law, Dr. Sandy Adelman of Bandera and San Antonio; son, James O., Jr, and grandchildren, James III, Courtney and Kyle, all of Austin; and his special friend, Lois A. Taylor of Boca Raton, FL. Col. Darling was a graduate of John Carroll University and became a Research Chemist with Weirton Steel Company. He was drafted into the US Army in 1941. After completing Officer’s Advanced Course, at Ft. Sam Houston, he became Operations and Training Staff Officer in the Far East Command during the Korean War. He returned to the Medical Field Service School at Ft. Sam Houston as Instructor of Logistics. He was assigned Chief of Plans and Operations Branch, Medical Division with the US Army Communications Zone, Europe, and later served as Personnel Commander, Valley Forge General Hospital; Chief of plans and Operations, Brooke Army Medical Center; Administrative Officer of the Medical Research Team in Saigon, Vietnam; followed by executive Officer, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, DC. He completed his Military Career as Executive Officer of the Army Institute of Surgical Research at Ft. Sam Houston, TX in 1969, when he retired. His Military Honors include the Army Commendation Medal and Legion of Merit. “Gentleman Jim” was an endlessly supportive father to his lively son and daughter. He accompanied his wildlife-artist daughter, Carol on many field trips working with dangerous and life-threatening animals. He then built all the exhibit structures for Carol’s Art Shows and attended every one.
After retirement, he worked as Hospital Consultant for the State of Florida. In his retirement years, he reformed his Optimist Organization to better serve the academic needs of teenagers as he and his wife, Mitz, personally sponsored several youngsters with their education. He often said his favorite sound was the laughter that filled the Darling home as it became the favorite place to be for the many friends of his two children. He was member of the Military Officer’s Association of America, San Antonio Retired Officers Association, San Antonio Chapter 14 of the DAV, San Antonio Optimist Club, and the Christopher Columbus Italian Society. Son Jim relates: Dad’s modest and quiet manner belied his tremendous personal and professional achievements. He was a superb father, adoring husband and great friend to so many people and organizations. He taught us the ideals of decency, community service and patriotism.
Being the son of parents from Pietrabbondante, Italy, he served America as the finest of soldiers. Everyone who knew him thoroughly enjoyed his buoyant and fun-loving personality. Perhaps his Italian heritage added to his sense of adventure; as he enjoyed such diverse interests as being a glider pilot, to horse back riding. He had an extra ordinary artistic sensibility that affected everything he touched. A true renaissance man combining a love for the sciences as well as music and literature, he is greatly missed.