Thomas Michael Darling |
| Posted 2022-10-12 by mhenderson |
| Published by Today's News Herald on Oct. 12, 2022 - Lake Havasu City, Arizona - On July 22, 2022, Thomas Michael Darling found eternal rest in his home with his daughter, Irene Marie Koutsogiannis and his grandson, Michael Thomas Koutsogiannis by his side at 76. He was born Nov. 10, 1945 in Portland, Oregon to Charles Mortimer Darling and Esta Marie Darling. He was known as Mike among family and later as Tom among friends. This Medford Senior High '63 graduate entered the Army to "get his obligation out of the way and find himself." He was stationed at Fort Ord, Tampa, Seoul, San Francisco, Paris, SHAPE Belgium, Vietnam, Fort Monroe, and Germany. His heroism in Vietnam earned him three Bronze Stars, 1 Vietnamese Gold Cross, a "V" Device, and an Air Medal. He supported ground troops from the Command and Control Helicopter and escorted the Vietnamese President through An Loc. He was acting Major during the Siege of An Loc. He was the most decorated "photographer" because while being under enemy fire, he photographed never seen enemy equipment, vehicles, and 31 out of 36 known destroyed enemy tanks in the city. After retirement, Tom had a professional photography business in Greeley, Colorado, where the Darlings were original settlers of the Greeley Union Colony. Tom lived in the family farm house that his great- great-great grandfather had built. Not liking Colorado winters, he moved to Arizona. He had a photography business and a Harley-Davidson customizing shop, Desert Winds Cycles in Lake Havasu. He was an active bike club member and leader in the community. Tom is survived by his daughter and his two grandchildren, Michael and Elizabeth Koutsogiannis. His celebration of life service will be at Calvary Baptist, the McCulloch Campus this Saturday, Oct.15 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of Havasu are requested in his name. |
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