Herman Bruce Darling

Bruce was born in Freeport, Texas, on May 17, 1943, to Herman and Ruth Darling. They moved to Smithville, Texas, shortly after Bruce’s birth. Bruce graduated with honors from Smithville High School in 1961 and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration - Accounting from Texas A&M University in 1965.

Bruce married Cynthia Anne Parker on February 19, 1966, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dallas, Texas. Their marriage was blessed with four children.

In 1988, Bruce and Cynthia moved from Dallas to Tustin, California, where they resided until their move to Minden, Nevada, in Carson Valley, in the Fall of 2008. In 2018, Bruce moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to live with Brad and Deborah Darling.

Bruce received his Army commission as a Second Lieutenant from Texas A&M University upon his graduation. He served in Vietnam as an Infantry Platoon Leader and then Company Commander in 1967. His service to the United States of America was recognized by awarding Lt. Herman Bruce Darling the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces in the Republic of Vietnam in 1967.

Bruce and Cynthia attended their first Marriage Encounter weekend in October 1985. Their experience led them into becoming actively involved as Marriage Encounter Presenters for 20 years. Bruce and Cynthia encountered 826 couples before resigning from the ministry on December 31, 2006. Their experience with Marriage Encounter served to set a deeper foundation from which they continually strengthened their own marriage and life together. Bruce was raised Baptist but was confirmed into the Lutheran Church prior to his marriage to Cynthia. He was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Dallas, TX; Zion Lutheran Church, in Dallas, TX; Zion Lutheran Church in Anaheim, CA; and finally Trinity Lutheran Church in Gardnerville, NV. Bruce was a member of the church choirs at each church. He was also a member of the Lutheran Chorale at Concordia University - Irvine for 15 years. Bruce’s first job upon his release from the Army was with BOSCO Fastening Service Center in Dallas, Texas. He began his career in the bolt, nut, and screw industry and remained there for the next 47 years.

In 1988, Bruce left BOSCO to accept a position with Porteous Fastener Company as Vice President of Materials Management. His duties included finding sources for fasteners worldwide. In the pursuit of quality manufacturers, Bruce made over 30 trips abroad, making 1300+ visits to more than 425 factories. Bruce had the opportunity to speak at more than 30 regional association meetings, including five opportunities to address the attendants of the National Industrial Fastener Shows - East and West, in Atlanta, GA, Columbus, OH and Las Vegas, NV. In May 2005, Bruce was honored to be inducted into the National Industrial Fastener Show’s Hall of Fame.

Bruce is survived by his children RuthAnne Darling Wyble and husband Steven Wyble of Woodstock, GA; Brad Darling and wife Debbie Darling of Jacksonville, FL; Amy Darling of Minden, NV. His grandchildren Stuart Rose and wife Kacie Rose of League City, TX; Allan Rose and wife Kathy Rose of Holly Springs, GA; and Olivia Jones Fairchild and husband Steven Fairchild. His great-granddaughters, Olivia and Harley Rose of League City, TX and Renee Rose of Holly Springs, GA. His brother Larry Darling and wife Sherry Darling of Gardnerville, NV, sister-in-law, Violet Darling of London, Ontario, Canada and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Bruce was preceded in death by his wife, Cynthia Parker Darling. His brother, Joe Bennett Darling; second child, Elaine Elizabeth Darling; parents Herman Fayette Darling and Ruth Ivy Darling; sister, Sally Darling Smith and brother, Richard Darling.

A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held at Pitman Cemetery on January 17, 2026. He will be interred in the family plot alongside Cynthia in Muldoon, TX.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers, if you feel so led, memorials may be sent to either Trinity Lutheran Church Music Program, 1480 Douglas Avenue, Gardnerville, NV 89410 or a charity of your choice.