GEORGETOWN - Thomas W. Darling, of San Diego, Calif., formerly of Georgetown, Del. passed away Mar. 2, 2012. Tom served proudly in the United States Navy from 1991-1995 as Operation Specialist (OS). He served aboard the USS McClusky FFG-41, Yokosuka, Japan, USS Abraham Lincoln, CVN-72, Alameda, Calif. and with the Reserve Unit MIU W 205, Ft. Lewes, Del. He earned the National Defense, Southwest Asia Service with bronze star, Pistol Marksman and Good Conduct medals. He was a 1991 graduate of Sussex Central High School and Sussex VoTech and attended Praise Fellowship Church. For the past 17 years, Tom was an Alarm Technician for Johnson Controls, Inc. Honolulu, Hawaii; ATSI, Tyson's Corner, Va.; and Alarm Guard, and Honeywell, Philadelphia, Pa. Tom was a devoted father to his only child, Amber Violet. He was tremendously involved in her life including being a Cheer Dad for her Cheer Teams Hawaii Heat in Pearl City, Hawaii and All Star Angels in Leesburg, Va. He was a member of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization in Delaware for three years, serving as Big Brother to Chris Travers of Newark, Del. Tom loved camping, especially at his Uncle Sam's cabin in New York, amusement parks, spending time with his friends and traveling the United States, most of which he had seen in his very short life. He was brilliant in math and science, loved astronomy, was an avid Philadelphia Flyers and San Francisco 49ers fan. He will also be known for his love of writing poems. Tom was preceded in death by his loving mother, Helen J. Darling, June 2011; his loving sister, Nancy E. Blackburn, March 2010; his grandmother, Nellie Violet Scott and grandfather, Luther Scott. He is survived by his daughter, Amber Violet Darling; and former wife, Denise Darling, both of San Diego, Calif.; his father, Edward Darling of Harrington, Del.; step sisters, Carey Dover, of Del., Donna Rothenberg of Md. and Florence Sharp of N.C.; godson, Kyle Cazzell of Dover, Del. and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Celebration of life services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Good Friday, April 6, 2012 in the Lynch Building, at the Marvel Carriage Museum, 510 S. Bedford St., Georgetown, DE, with a catered reception to follow. Contributions may be made to your local Humane Society or Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Delaware, 111-A North Bedford St., Georgetown, DE 19947. Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.