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Kenneth Dean Darling, Sr. was born Nov. 3, 1961 to Leona Mae (Darling) Brown in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was raised by his loving mother and grandparents, Claire (Bud) and Lydia Darling. Ken loved his family and friends more than anything. He was a person that people instantly liked and he loved meeting new people. Ken knew in High School he wanted to be a printer. He took all the printing classes he could in High School. Ken had various jobs growing up. His favorite was working at the Messenger newspaper. He started at the bottom and moved his way up. He learned a lot from this job and was trained to help with the photos.
He started working at Turrso. This is where he met and fell in love with his first wife Talley Rose. They got married in September of 1988. In 1989, they welcomed their first child, Jennifer Leona. In 1993, Kenneth Jr. was born. They also had a foster son Michael. In 1987, they parted ways and Ken moved to Inver Grove Heights, MN. He started working at Tapemark which was also a printing business. Ken loved working there. He enjoyed doing some form of printing again. He made a lot of friends and stayed in contact with them after he left. He also met Devonne Wippich and they were married in April of 2000. His children came to live with them after their mother Talley died.
Ken became more involved with his church and was a trustee for New Life Church. Ken was proud to be a grandpa in 2008 to Joshua and then in 2013 to Owen. Ken and Devonne separated and Ken moved to Arizona and then to New Mexico. Although he was away from all of his family he loved living in a warmer climate! He liked being able to walk out to see the sun and not have to deal with the snow like in MN.
Ken enjoyed living right up to his death. The day he died, he went to a Def Leopard concert with a friend. Sadly during the morning of Sept. 20, 2016, Ken died from a heart attach.
As most of us know, Ken loved his family and friends and would do anything for them. He cherished his relationship with God.
Many people didn't know that he had a green thumb. He had beautiful roses, big sunflowers, tasty grapes and blue morning glories. Ken also was very proud of taking a gourd he grew and turning it into a birdhouse. Yes, the birds were very happy with that accomplishment as well!
His favorite number was three, he loved Scoobydoo, Swisher Sweets (cherry cigars) and most of all his diet Mountain Dew. His passion was fishing and he always dreamed he could be a fisherman an not have to work. Now he is in Heaven fishing.
From the heavens above, from where we live right now, from Minnesota, to Arizona, to New Mexico, to Iowa...he will always be in our hearts.
This song was sung at Ken's Memorial/Celebration of Life Service:
God, I'm running for Your heart
I'm running for Your heart
Till I am a soul on fire
Lord, I'm longing for Your ways
I'm waiting for the day
When I am a soul on fire
Till I am a soul on fire
[x2]
Lord, restore the joy I had
And I have wandered, bring me back
In this darkness, lead me through
Until all I see is You, yeah
God, I'm running for Your heart
I'm running for Your heart
Till I am a soul on fire
Lord, I'm longing for Your ways
I'm waiting for the day
When I am a soul on fire
Till I am a soul on fire
Lord, let me burn for You again
Let me return to You again
And Lord, let me burn for You again
And let me return to You again
God, I'm…
God, I'm running for Your heart
I'm running for Your heart
Till I am a soul on fire
Lord, I'm longing for Your ways
I'm waiting for the day
When I am a soul on fire
God, I'm running for Your heart
I'm running for Your heart
Till I am a soul on fire
I wanna be
Till I am a soul on fire
Till I am a soul on fire
Songwriters: Brenton Brown / David Carr / Mac Powell / Mark Lee / Matt Maher / Tai Anderson
Soul on Fire lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Essential Music Publishing, Capitol Christian Music Group
Ken's Son, Ken Jr. played the guitar and sang his dad's favorite song at the end of the service.
LYNYRD SKYNYRD LYRICS
"Simple Man"
Mama told me when I was young
"Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this it'll help you some sunny day"
"Oh, take your time, don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You'll find a woman and you'll find love
And don't forget, son, there is someone up above"
"And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can"
"Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need is in your soul
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied"
"And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can"
Oh yes, I will
"Boy, don't you worry, you'll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied"
"And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can"
Baby, be a simple, be a simple man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
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Scott Owen
I lived just a few houses down from Ken when he lived on Avenue C (later half of the 60's). We spent a lot of time together in those years as we ran the neighborhood. (I was intrigued with his yard because his grandparents had in interesting collection of cacti and other plants.) I remember him as being very accepting of me and an easy going kid. Life sent us in different directions by the time we hit the pre-teen years. I am grateful for the Class of 80 communication notification that allows me to pay respects to someone that was an important part of my early years in Fort Dodge. My prayers go out to his family. -- Scott
Chris Schoenfisch (Sears)
I grew up in the same neighborhood as Ken,another West side girl.I was in school with him since elementary all the way through to graduation, we weren't close but our paths crossed a great deal throughout the years. It saddens me to lose another class mate and brings to mind how brief our time here is and how precious the days we have are! I last saw and spoke with Ken at our 30th reunion. I now am appreciating having had the opportunity to visit with my peers at a class reunion, He will be missed by friends and family. I will be more appreciative and take advantage of upcoming opportunities to connect with those we have so many memories with!