Tommy Darter

Tommy Ray Darter (“Tom”) was welcomed whole and healed into the arms of Jesus Thursday, August 24, 2023. Tom was the son of Arthur and Clara Darter of Simi Valley, California, and brother to Nancy and Bob.

He attended Royal High School in Simi Valley, California, and Simi Valley Presbyterian Church where he met the love of his life, Linda, and where he gave his life to Jesus.

Tom was a man of devotion and principle and this led him to the paths that would characterize his life: his love for Linda, and service to his country. At 17 years old Tom enlisted in the US Navy, serving in Vietnam on the USS Hancock and in various other capacities. At the completion of his career, he served the Department of Defense in the satellite communications department at Point Mugu Naval Base.

At 19 years old, Tom and Linda were married in Pope County, Arkansas, and they affirmed a love that 52 years would be unable to exhaust or diminish. Their love for each other was a home for their two sons, Rusty and Jeff, and this love grew as they embraced daughters-in-law, Kim and Laura, and welcomed grandchildren Anika, Jack, Rebecca, Max, Tara, Katelyn, and Josie.

Having a conversation with Tom would quickly reveal to a listener his intellectual acuity and yet he still valued lifelong learning. He earned his bachelor's degree taking night classes all while working full-time and raising their two boys. He and Linda taught themselves home improvement skills as they redid their Upper Ojai residence. Tom was always up for a new learning challenge, whether serving a stint teaching at the local public school, reading the newest Bill O’Reilly book, or keeping up on the golf course, mountain bike trail, or paintball field with his boys. Though Tom loved learning, one thing he never quite mastered was giving less than 110%. When he ran, it was a marathon. When it came to food, he would eat anything (except, we found, coconut jello). On his bike there was one speed: why not? His enthusiasm for adventure would frequently result in mishaps ranging from bumps and bruises to misplaced lake buoys. His family affectionately coined these stories as “pulling a T.D.”

Tom never took himself too seriously, but there were some things he took very seriously. He was serious about providing the opportunity for his children and grandchildren to have an education. His boys were told, “I served in the military so that you don’t have to.” And if that opportunity was being squandered, a middle school boy will warn you that you could expect a swat across the back of the head.

Tom will be lovingly remembered by his family as a man of devotion, integrity, hard work, and playful grins. They will treasure the memories of family trips, including his favorite to Maui, and the boys’ golf trip to Scotland. Elvis music, Phase 10, and late night bowls of ice cream just won’t be the same without him. We praise God for the testimony Tom shared of belonging to Jesus by faith and for the promise that is now reality for him of an eternal home in the presence of the One who purchased him, body and soul. Because Tom embraced this gift, we know our separation is only temporary, our loss is his gain, and the love we share as a family will one day be made complete when we are reunited at the feet of Jesus.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held in his California home of Ojai at a future date. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresbyron.com.