Ralph Raymond Darden

Ralph Raymond Darden of Prince Frederick, MD passed away on May 5, 2013. He left home at the age of 18 to serve in the Korean War where he served in the United States Navy as part of a Search and Rescue team that brought home captured American soldiers and Airmen. Following his service, he attended the University of Scranton and received a BS in Accounting and later a Master’s degree from American University. He married Lucille Gregory, also from Scranton in 1953 and they stayed married until her passing on June 10, 2012. After marrying, they moved to Washington, D.C. where Ralph served in the Kennedy Administration primarily in Chile and other South American countries. After the President’s assassination, Ralph joined what is now the GAO, and later joined the Export Import Bank of the United States, concluding his service as Vice President of the Bank. Ralph’s retirement was spent at their home on the Patuxent River. There he enjoyed yard work, fixing things, reading and hunting. In his 50’s and 60’s he maintained his health and fitness by periodically swimming across the Patuxent, touching the Charles County shore, and returning to Hallowing Point.He is survived by his sister Doris Aronica and her husband Steve, his sister Eleanor Mullen, his sister-in-law Andrea Darden, his sister-in-law Mary Ann Paulic, his daughter Daria Darden Webb and her husband Steve, his son Eric J. Darden and his wife Beth Meader, and his granddaughters Catherine Darden and Anna Darden. He had numerous other family and friends, here and in Pennsylvania.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on June 3, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Owings, MD. The Mass will be officiated by Father Cusick of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, Benedict, MD.Contributions in Ralph's memory may be made to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 7185 Benedict Ave, Benedict, MD 20612. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ralph Raymond Darden please visit our Sympathy Store.