Thomas Theodore Darby III

On July 5, 2020 Thomas Theodore Darby III, unexpectedly passed away due to complications following lung surgery in Tucson, AZ. We had just discovered Thom had lung cancer a month ago and were prepared and ready to begin that new journey but sadly he developed a serious lung infection (noncovid) before beginning treatments. We thank all the Doctors and nurses at St. Joseph for their love, care and support during this stressful time.

Thomas began life in NY City, June 26, 1947, moving to Princeton, NJ at a young age. He had a phenomenal recall of people and places and was able to track down many of his old childhood school friends, Sunday school teachers and neighbors through Face book. After high school Thom returned to NY and admittedly spent a few years at the school of hard knocks before settling in and graduating with a BA from NY State College at Old Westbury, NY (music/Spanish BA) and continuing on to graduate with an MA from the New School of Social Research (video design and tech).

Thomas played multiple instruments but especially loved percussion instruments. Thom enjoyed all music genres and also loved his time as a DJ. He enjoyed dancing, especially salsa. He played baseball and basketball but his favorite sport to watch was basketball and secondly football, especially the Jets and the 49ers, making gift giving time for him an easy endeavor. He made many cherished friendships during his college years which continued to recently. Thomas was quite the political activist in his college years and also recently.

Thomas went on to become a family man…husband and father, working in sales. He spent a number of years selling projection systems for fortune 500 companies in NY and NJ. He spent a lot of time doing business at the World Trade Center and he was actually working that day in upper Manhattan, having to walk all the way through Manhattan and over the Brooklyn Bridge, covered in white ash before he could catch a bus home in Brooklyn. It was a terribly sad and frightening day which eventually led to moving out west to Tucson.

In Tucson Thomas found a very different life, living in a house vs an apartment, privacy, quietness and peace. He so enjoyed having the freedom of the road with music blasting. Thomas sold Manufactured Homes in Tucson until retirement. After retirement he focused on making an oasis in the desert, hauling in good dirt by the bag to try and give some life to our hard pan. Thomas would be out in the yard wielding a big pick like he was mining for gold but he was persistent and did manage in growing a lawn, flowers and fruit trees. He could be seen outside every morning, with his floppy hat… this tall lovely man, waving at neighbors, mowing the lawn and tending his flowers. He met most of our neighbors, always taking the time to get to know others. Thomas also enjoyed going to our Church, Calvary Chapel and could be seen busy hugging people and talking before service and then staying after to chat even more. He was also an ever present fixture at his grandsons’ school presentations and their sporting events, sitting with such quiet grace, unless an official made a wrong call that is.

Wife: Carol Seay Darby (married 1999), Blanca Perez (divorced, deceased 2019)

Daughter Keisha Santiago (husband Kevin, grandson Marc-Anthony (great grandson Maxwell), grandson Matteo, granddaughter Miah. Daughter Jessica Ward (husband Robert, grandson Tashawn Darby, grandson Christian, grandson Elijah. Son Thomas Darby 4th (wife Tyra, grandson Roberto Perez, grandson Aiden Ramseur, granddaughter Aniyah-Leigh, grandson Ethan, grandson Thomas), Daughter Erika (deceased). Daughter of the Heart Mary Conrad (husband Andrew, grandson Jason, grandson Brian, granddaughter Payton) Stepdaughter Jennifer Keefer (grandson Jacob), Stepdaughter Johanna Huber (husband Mike, grandson Gus), Stepson Steven Seay (wife Allison, granddaughter Savannah, grandson Caleb)

Sister Agnes Benjamin (Netherlands, son Carl); sister Elaina Jacobo (Philippines… nephew William (wife Nena), niece Ellily, nephew Thomas (wife Victoria); sister Dianne Cody (CA husband Michael Cody Sr deceased 1996, niece Mia, nephew Michael); brother Douglas Darby (CA.. wife Carlita Hughes (divorced) and nephew Arien).

Thomas T. Darby was a man of absolute dignity, fierce loyalty, deeply passionate, quiet patience, and prodigious strength, but also a man of deep sorrows (especially over the loss of his dear young daughter Erika). I love him with all my heart and will miss him beyond words!

Revelation 21:4 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

A big thank you to Thom’s brother Douglas Darby for all his help, his strength, his patience and his creativity, for helping so much through all of this and for gathering info for this obit.

Due to the Covid pandemic and AZ spike in cases there will be no in person Celebration of Life for Thomas at this time. Also in lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider giving to the charity of your choice in Thom’s name. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, of your outpouring of love and concern for Thomas.