Thomas Henderson Darrah III

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas Darrah III (aka Tom Daren and TD) on Tuesday, 3/25/25 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease and associated dementia. Tom was born in Broomall, PA to parents Thomas Darrah Sr. and Dorothy Darrah on 5/13/41. He was 83 years old.

Tom graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy and attended Bucknell University. Tom enlisted in the Army National Guard and was stationed at Ft. Jackson, SC and served from February 1962 until his Honorable Discharge in February 1968.

Tom had a very storied career in both the broadcasting industry as well as working in the Marketing/Promotions Department with Walt Disney World until he retired.

After serving in the military Tom worked as a TV announcer with WJAC TV in Johnstown, PA. His on the air name was Tom Daren – which became his professional name. After WJAC, Tom moved to Jacksonville, Florida where he worked at WMBR as an on the air personality spinning records and making listeners laugh. This is where he met the love of his life, Debbie (Cogburn). It wasn’t exactly love at first sight but after his 1st date with Debbie they fell in love. That was in 1975.

After WMBR he was hired Rounsaville Radio (who also owned WMBR) to work at WDAE in Tampa, Fl. Tom and Debbie moved to Tampa and enjoyed the many fun things that the Tampa Bay area had to offer including weekend visits to Passa Grille, Beach. Snorkeling and shelling and just enjoying the ocean was one of his favorites.

Tom and Debbie spent a couple of years in Tampa and then he was hired to work as an air personality and program director at WFTL in Ft. Lauderdale. He had many nice adventures working at WTFL and enjoyed the beach and wonderful dining experiences.

In 1980 Pittsburgh, PA station WWSW (later known as 3WS) called so Tom and Debbie (and little dog Hadji) moved to Pittsburgh. He spent 4 years in Pittsburgh and in that time, he learned how to fly small planes.

His final radio station days were at WSB in Atlanta, GA. Then he got a call from one of his oldest friends (Tom Kennington) to come work at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

WDW was planning to build a radio station on their property within the then named MGM Studios. Tom oversaw the building and operations of the art deco radio station located near the Indiana Jones Stunt Theater. Radio stations from all over the United States of other countries were invited to come broadcast their shows from the Disney studio back to their audiences where came from.

Tom was asked to spend time in Paris while the WDW Park was being built. He spent 3 months organizing radio stations from all over the world to broadcast live during the grand opening ceremonies in 1992.

When Tom retired from Disney he began to volunteer at Orange County Animal Services – exercising the dogs and assisting them to get adopted. He was very passionate about helping the doggies find their forever homes.

Tom also began to take drum lessons with Warren Sauer. He bought a set of drums and became fairly proficient, but due to his increased symptoms associated with Parkinson’s Disease it became more and more difficult for him to play.

Tom enjoyed so many things that life has to offer. He loved to fish (Debbie did too), play the drums, read best selling books, working in the garden, and hanging out at any beach. Tom and Debbie were able to take many fabulous trips, including Rome, Switzerland (he liked Lake Como the best). Then came a cruise to Alaska and a wonderful trip to Hawaii.

Tom will be missed by so many people that he met along the way. He had the best sense of humor and was very generous in helping to mentor and promote co-workers in their careers.

Tom is survived by his wife Debbie and his two precious doggies (Brody and Penny) who will miss him for an eternity.

Celebration of life services will be held on Tuesday, May 13, starting 4pm at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home in Gotha.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to your local pet shelter. They really need the help.