

Born on March 14, 1942, in Newark, New Jersey, John was the only son of Andreas and Florence Darlson (Baumann). He spent his childhood mostly in Tewksbury Township, NJ, with a brief detour down to Atlanta, GA.
After moving to Florida in 1958, John graduated in 1960 from H.B. Plant High School in Tampa. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1964, where he was the student body treasurer, president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, a member of Florida Blue Key, and selected as a member of the school’s Hall of Fame. John then graduated from UF’s Levin College of Law in 1967 and moved to Washington, D.C., where he was on the staff of Congressman Paul Rogers for several years.
After moving to Stuart in1972, John ran a successful law practice and was very active in the local community for nearly three decades. He served as president of the Martin County Bar Association, president of the Stuart Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the I-95 Missing Link Task Force, as director and shareholder of two different banks, and he owned the Foxfire Restaurant in Sewall’s Point.
Outside of his professional life, John coached his two sons’ Martin County North Little League baseball teams for several years, was an active member of St. Luke’s and All Saints Episcopal Churches, was an avid Florida Gator fan, and enjoyed golf, cars, and yardwork.
John is survived by his three adult children James, Michael, and Catherine, and his five grandchildren.
A Funeral Service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, 2303 NE Seaview Dr, Jensen Beach, FL 34957, US, on July 2, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
A Committal Service will be held at All Saints Cemetery, NE Dixie Hwy, Jensen Beach, FL 34957, US, on July 2, 2026, from 12:15 pm to 12:30 pm.
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