Armand Kent Darling, 68

Armand Kent Darling, age 68, departed his earth journey January 8th after losing a long battle with congestive heart failure. He simply went to sleep in his own bed in the family home at Sunnyside, Wash.

Armand was born to Osmond Thomas and Effie (Samdahl) Darling on 18 July 1936 at Barron, WI. He moved with his family to Granger, WA when he was about seven years old and two years later the family moved to Moses Lake, WA where his father was employed with the School District. Armand graduated from the Moses Lake High School with the class of 1954 and remained there until 1993.

Armand married Shirley Washburn at Moses Lake on 15 December 1956. They had four wonderful children together before divorcing in 1970 while remaining on friendly terms.

Armand had many interests in life and never met a stranger no matter where he traveled. He loved flying and was an avid reader which made him conversant on many subjects although most will remember him as a very vocal Democrat who loved to give his opinion to one and all whether they wanted to hear it or not. In certain situations he had the ability of a chameleon and could rapidly switch from left to right in his political discussions. He loved being versatile and controversial. Armand was at his happiest when he had his family around him and loved the get-togethers with all the good food and conversation.

Armand grew up during the era when a good work ethic was instilled into children and he definitely was a hard worker. He worked at Fultz Drug Store while in High School and for some time afterwards; he worked in potato processing for several years eventually turning to truck driving from which he retired on 1 February 1996 after twenty-one years, the last eleven years with United Parcel Service. He was a hard worker and an excellent provider for his family and was a proud member of the Teamsters Union.

Armand married Ms. Sammye Leonard Getman on 31 March 1979, at Coeur d'Alene, ID and they enjoyed dancing, museums, eating out and traveling with their RV together for many years until poor health made these hobbies too difficult to continue. Their main hobby then became their mutual love for reading.

Armand was preceded in death by both of his parents and a brother Frank Darling of Selah, WA plus a sister, Diane Darling, who lived in a group home in Wisconsin.

His wife Sammye of Sunnyside and one son, Kent (Kara Waggener) Darling, three daughters, Denese (Ted) Mata, Danette (Mark) Biallas all of Moses Lake and Danelle (Kent) Corrick of Tacoma, plus ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren survive him.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, 13 January 2005, at the Grape Drive LDS Chapel. Private burial will take place at a later date.

Viewing will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory, Moses Lake.