Thomas W. Darlington

Thomas W. Darlington, 84, of Grand Island died Friday, February 1, 2013 at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. Services will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at Apfel Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Charles Gregory officiating. Burial will be at the Chadron Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be on Monday evening from 5 to 7 pm at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the York Rite Ancient and Accepted Free Masons. Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family. Thomas was born on March 1, 1928 in Chadron, NE, the son of William and Mildred (Backus) Darlington. He grew up in Chadron, graduating from Chadron High School in 1946 and from Chadron State College in 1950. He entered the United States Navy in 1946 and was honorably discharged in 1948. Thomas was united in marriage to Lois Mae Berlie on September 14, 1952 in Chadron. The couple lived in Chadron and Scottsbluff where he was employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. After living in Scottsbluff for 34 years, the couple moved to Grand Island in 2012. Throughout his life, he was an electronics and refrigeration specialist with Darlington Electric of Chadron and later at Scottsbluff. Thomas was a member of the United Commercial Travelers, the Elks and York Rite Free Masonry, and Guardian of the Jobs Daughters Chapter. He enjoyed his work, tinkering and fixing things. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lois Darlington of Grand Island, daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Tim Arthur of Aurora, NE, 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and one sister, Frances Gentleman of Amarillo, TX. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Andrea Wohlers, an infant son William Mae Darlington, and two sisters, Gladys and Billie.