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Dr. Richard Darlington, 47, of Stillwater, Okla., an optometrist and a former Bloomington resident, died June 3, 1994, of injuries suffered in a one-vehicle accident on Interstate 135, near Newton, Kan.
He died at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Wichita, Kan., where he was taken after the van he was driving left the roadway and struck a guardrail.
Dr. Darlington's funeral Mass was June 7 at St. John's Catholic Church, Stillwater, Okla.
He was cremated.
Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, Stillwater, Okla., had charge of arrangements.
Dr. Darlington was born May 17, 1947, at Maryville, N.D., a son of Winthrop William and Willene Fager Darlington. He married Patricia E. O'Brien June 12, 1976, at St. Louis. She survives.
Other survivors include his mother; three daughters, Amy Katherine, Kelly Elizabeth and Erin Marie Darlington, all at home; one son, Todd Michael, also at home; and two brothers, Alan, Aloha, Ore., and David, Fargo, N.D.
His father preceded him in death.
Dr. Darlington, whose family lived at 12 Harbord Drive, Bloomington, attended Bloomington Junior High School and graduated in 1965 from Bloomington High School. He received a degree in biology from North Central College, Naperville, in 1969.
He was a Peace Corps volunteer at St. Lucia, Bahamas, in 1969-70, and returned to Illinois and received a bachelor of science degree in visual science and a doctorate in optometry in 1974 from the Illinois College of Optometry. He had established a private practice in Stillwater, Okla., in 1976.
Dr. Darlington received a master of science degree in special education from Oklahoma State University in 1991 and was working on a doctor of philosophy degree.
He was a member of the American Board of Optometrists and recently was elected president of the Oklahoma Eye Bank.
Dr. Darlington also was a member of St. John's Catholic Church; president-elect of the Stillwater Noon Lions Club; and on the board for Stillwater Groups Homes; Stillwater Parks and Recreation; Stillwater American Red Cross Chapter; and Stillwater Knights of Columbus.
Memorials may be made to the Richard Darlington Memorial Trust Fund for the Darlington children at BancFirst, P.O. Box 1, Stillwater, Okla. 74076.
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Jean Eckles (Wyrick)
I was heart broken when I found out about Rick. He was only 46 and had his whole life ahead of him. I was madly in love with him in high school. He was a great guy. Jean Eckles Wyrick
Diana Snow (Stone)
I, too, was very saddened when I learned of Rick Darlington's death. Although I didn't know him really well, I knew him when he and Jean dated in high school as she and I were friends and I liked what I saw in him as a teenager. He was very sweet and even then, a compassionate person. It's no wonder he chose a profession where he'd be helping people. He was humble and caring. He'll always remain in our hearts. We miss you, Rick. di
Roger Shoup
Too many, too soon...