Hugh Darling
Aug 1, 1935 -
Nov 26, 2021
Hugh W. Darling, 86, passed away on Nov. 26, 2021, in his home in Las Vegas, Nev., with his loving wife Iris by his side.
Darling was born in Los Angeles, Calif., on Aug. 1, 1935. Hugh graduated from Hamilton High School and joined the U.S. Army. After his service, he returned to California and enrolled in University of Southern California, where he received his B.S. in business. Hugh worked his way through college and, after graduating, began working as a real estate developer in California. In 1969, Hugh's work transferred him to Florida, where he found his wife and life partner, Iris Darling. Shortly after moving to Florida, Hugh opened his own real estate development business H. W. Darling & Associates, in Tampa, Fla. In 1989, Darling sold his Florida business and moved to Alaska to help his mother, Virginia Darling, with their family business, Brown & Hawkins in Seward, founded by his grandfather, Tw Hawkins, in 1903. He and Iris purchased the Brown & Hawkins Corporation in 1990, where Hugh became CEO. In 2002, Hugh founded Sweet Darlings Candy Store, where he retired from his career as a proud confectioner. Hugh was an active leader in the community of Seward. Darling served for eight years on various political boards including The Trade Board, The City Council as a member and Vice Mayor, The Hospital Board and The Planning and Zoning Commission. Darling was a leader in the preservation of Seward's history; he served as Exalted Ruler of the Seward Elks Lodge and he was active in the American Legion.
Hugh was a loving father and husband who found joy in witnessing his family grow and be happy.
Hugh is survived by his wife of 50 years, Iris Darling; and his three sons with their families: son, Donald E. Darling and his wife Terri Darling with granddaughter, Shannon Darling, grandson, Ryan Darling and his wife Ansley Darling and great-grandchildren, Emilie, Connnor and Claire Darling of Tampa; son, Scott W. Darling and his wife Marion Darling with granddaughter, Kristy Darling Finder and her husband Sam Finder of Lacanada, Calif.; granddaughter, Dawn Darling Rychecky and her husband Per Rychecky and great-grandchildren, Amelia and Gretchen Rychecky of Anacortes, Wash.; son, Michael Wallace Darling and his wife Debbie Darling Of Corona, Calif.; granddaughter, Shannon Darling Trent and her husband Dustin Trent and great-grandchildren, Zack Drenner and Bradley Trent of Riverside, Calif.; and grandchildren, Michael and Nikki Darling of San Diego, Calif.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to Tunnel to Towers charity or Seward Volunteer Ambulance Service.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in summer 2022 in Seward, as his heart was in Seward.
