Peter Jerome Darling

Drafted in first person on February 9, 2024, scribed by daughter Zoe. 

Dad indicated willingness to have us edit slightly but not much.

J Peter Darling

April 1936 – Feb 2024

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My parents, Mary & Jerry Darling, brought me home from Tacoma General Hospital to beautiful Brown’s Pt, the perfect place for a boy to grow up: woods to build camps in, a beach to run and play on, and later a 12-foot skiff to learn all about seamanship. To my knowledge, I am the oldest ‘Browns’ Pointer’ who’s maintained residency here since coming home from the hospital almost 88 years ago.

I graduated from Stadium Highschool in 1954. Would you believe this class still hosts monthly lunches, which I have enjoyed for so many years. I attended the University of Washington and majored in Architecture. But I decided, after some period, that maybe I wanted to have a broader education and graduated in business administration. My career stretched from binding books in the family company, J.L. Darling Corporation, to being in business with three great partners at Business Interiors NW, now known as Catalyst.

Early, I hadn’t been much of a traveler, but was encouraged by a good friend to go to Mexico for a vacation. And sitting down next to a very attractive grey haired Australian lady on the tour bus was just my luck as she introduced me to her daughter, who was sitting in the front seat, but later came and sat by me. We were married less than 6 months later. And so began a life of almost 56 years together here in Browns’ Pt with two great kids.

Our family years were filled with trips to Australia to see the grandparents and wonderful times together on our sailboat, the Billabong, to the San Juan and Gulf Islands. Exchange students were a big part of our family for so many years, especially my non-blood kids Martijn from the Netherlands, and Katja from Germany. Ann was an ever-supportive wife. I remember the day I came home and said to her, “Ann, would you be okay to be poor again for a while?” “Not difficult for me, “she said, “probably harder for you!” And so began our career with Business Interiors Northwest.

Years rolled by, and I chose to be the first to retire, so that new energy could join the company. My partners gave me two years to plan what it would be like to retire. I became a trustee for the Tacoma Art Museum and have remained emeritus. I was honored to work on the Board at the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, which has been such a spark plug to benefit so many in Tacoma and south Puget Sound. Rotary 8, in Tacoma, was a big part of my life. And the most meaningful volunteer service work was with the Read2Me program which I worked with for more than 20 years. The sadness for me came at the beginning of the pandemic when the program was shut down. I look back on so many kids learning to read with just one person sitting by their side. What memories!

Ann and I have traveled from the mountain tops in Nepal (trekking to 10,000’) to Aboriginal tent camps overlooking the Indian Ocean in Australia. In all our travels, I always had my sketchbook with my watercolor case and micro pens. When I counted the other day, I had 20 sketch books tucked away on the shelf filled with our adventures…pretty good from someone colorblind! Thank you, Urban Sketchers, for the fun and support we had when I was actively involved. And I am grateful to every member of the Multicare hospice team, and to End of Life WA organization and staff. Thank you. 

My life has been so full. My wife Ann, my two kids, Jay & Zoe (aka Amy), their partners Susan and Jon, my grandson Simon and my granddaughter Eva have so enriched my life.

I’ve had a great run.

I have no regrets.

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Family requests that rather than any flowers, you carry Peter’s spirit of civic engagement and generosity into the community by donating to one of these Oasis Youth Center, Rainbow Center, YWCA of Pierce County, the Tacoma Art Museum or an organization locally that is of meaningful to you.

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