Rick Darling

John Richard "Rick" Darling was born on September 25, 1946 in Waco, Texas to Duane and Eileen (Gibbs) Darling. He grew up with his older brother William "Bill". The family moved all over Texas, residing in Waco, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas and went on to attend K-State on a football scholarship. However, being a true southerner, Rick was not suited to the chilly Kansas weather and as a result, rarely left his dorm. This hindered his ability to do well in his classes so needless to say, he was quite happy when he was offered a scholarship to transfer to Sam Houston State University where he played football for the Bearkats. Rick's football number was 55, but he always quipped that, " I may be #55 in the program, but I'm #1 in your heart". While at SHSU he was also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He continued to keep in touch with many of his college buddies.

In the beginning of their courtship, Rick and Marilyn McIntosh were out for a drive. Marilyn told Rick she needed to use the restroom and he assured her that he knew a very sweet older couple in the area who wouldn't mind them stopping in to use the facilities. Rick introduced Marilyn to Duane and Eileen and the four sat and visited for a bit. When Eileen told Rick she put something on his bed, he finally had to reveal to Marilyn that those sweet people were in fact, his parents. In 1969 the two wed in Houston Texas, where they raised their two children, John and Jennifer. Rick was a devoted father, and spent many hours coaching soccer, baseball, and Boy Scouts. He never missed a performance of the Taylor High School Pacesetters, when Jennifer was a member of the drill team.

Family time always meant a lot to Rick. He was always up for an outing or event that got everyone together, like the circus. Back in the early 90's the Darling/McIntosh clan decided to attend the 'big top'. Due to work schedules, John, Jennifer and a few of her friends rode to the circus with Meme and Raddy. Rick and Marilyn planned to meet up with them riding in a separate car. As it usually does, Houston traffic did not cooperate with Rick's drive time, and he shared more than a few choice comments with Marilyn about the snail's pace at which the cars were moving. Without the aid of cell phones, they had no way to contact the other half of their party and explain their lateness. Rick just knew Meme would be irritated that they were late to the circus. As they approached the cause for the hold up, they could see it had been a big accident, with both cars involved being totaled. Much to their surprise, Marilyn and Rick looked over to see none other than their children, children's friends and parents frantically flagging them down because they now needed a ride to the circus.

Despite totaling an almost brand new Cadillac, the entire family had a great time at the circus. Rick probably enjoyed himself the most. After excusing himself for a few minutes, he returned to the group in full white clown makeup, scaring the living daylights out of Marilyn. He sported his new look for the rest of the evening which included a family dinner at a local restaurant. No one said a word to him about his noticeable make up job. That is, until one of the waiters came and asked him to sing happy birthday to a guest at another table. Which he did happily.

One of Rick's favorite pastimes was taking out the boat which he comically called "The African Queen". There are enough adventures to fill a book on that boat but one of the most memorable outings was when Rick decided to take the boat into a very shallow inlet. Despite multiple protestors citing it was TOO shallow, and the branches of trees on the edge of the water came down TOO low, Rick barreled through. True to Darling form, the water was indeed too shallow, and the motor had to be raised to avoid getting stuck. Boat patrons all had to duck, to keep the tree branches from hitting them in the head and when at last the captain thought he was clear, one tree branch produced a danger that no one had thought to complain about, a snake. This poor unsuspecting snake was jostled about on his tree branch by the passing "African Queen". As much to his shock, as to everyone else's, he fell right into the boat. However, Mr. Snake did not scream like a girl when he fell into the middle of half a dozen adults, the adults can not say the same. Luckily, there were some low hanging branches, which the Darlings used to fish the snake out and return him to the branch from whence he came.

The grandchildren best remember their Papa for his willingness to take them fishing, feeding the catfish together, taking them out on the boat, going to Sam Houston football games, his huge mug of diet Pepsi that he always had with him, pretending to steal his Oreo cookies to make him laugh, attending their sporting events, plays, and school activities. He always had his camera with him, so mostly they remember that he was their own personal "PAPArazzi".

Rick is survived by his wife of almost 45 years Marilyn McIntosh Darling, father-in-law Frank McIntosh, son John and his wife Tracy, daughter Jennifer Darling, and grandchildren Riley, Colton, Ella, and Gavin, his brother Bill and wife Kathy, and nieces Julie and Jancy Darling. Rick leaves behind many members of his extended family and friends. Visitation is on Thursday, June 5 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway and funeral services will be held Friday, June 6, at 10 A.M. Interment to follow in Memorial Oaks Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the charity of your choice in remembrance of Rick.