Tarboro -

Dr. Frederick Darnley, Jr., age 76, passed away Thursday, September 25, 2025. His journey began in Bristol, Virginia on February 12, 1949, born to Dora Mae Darnley and Frederick Darnley, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Ian Darnley (2012).

In 1970, during his Senior year at Duke University, Fred was inexplicably sick and his legs stopped working. His mom reached out to a surgeon she knew who then found Fred's spinal tumor. The tumor was removed and Fred underwent 45 days of cobalt treatment. Despite his cancer and grueling treatments, Fred graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with a double major in psychology and anthropology, from Duke University in 1971. He went on to get a Master of Science at UNCG in 1972 and a Doctor of Philosophy from UNCG in 1976, both in childhood development and family relations. He became a professor of early childhood development at University of Indiana and then the University of Rhode Island in the late 70's and early 80's. In the early to mid-90's, Fred served on the North Carolina Child Care Commission.

He was a loving son, brother, father, grandfather, and surrogate father. He loved dogs, especially Roscoe, along with Olly, Buckley, Lloyd, Klaus, Heidi, Cuddles, and Spunky. Fred loved fishing, whether it was from the ocean pier or taking the neighborhood kids down to the lake at the Country Park. Fred was a lover of college sports, with Duke basketball being his #1 team for life. Fred was a dedicated life-long member of the Lutheran Church. He led various Youth Groups throughout the 80's and 90's and later enjoyed teaching adult Sunday School at Christ Lutheran Church.

Bojangles, Church's Chicken and Walmart were his favorite escapes.

The life-preserving cobalt radiation treatment he received in 1970 led to his myelodysplastic syndrome, and later his acute leukemic illness and death at 76.

He is survived by his daughters, Gretchen Darnley (Scott Ryan), of Tarboro, and Kirsten Darnley (Tim Riley), of Wilmington; siblings Michelle Darnley, of Cornelius and Greg Darnley (Dianna) of Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Bowie Hillebrand, Ian Riley, Ozella Ryan, Quinn Riley, and Ralph Ryan; niece Erin Darnley (Devon); nephew Casey Darnley (Amanda) and the mother of his children, Katie Abram, of Wilmington.

A service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, October 3, 2025 at Christ Lutheran Church, 3600 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC  27408. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to either: The Child Care Education Program Endowment Fund at UNCG, ccep.uncg.edu. Send donations to: Child Care Education Program, P.O. Box 26170, 310 McIver Street, Greensboro, N.C. 27402. Planned Parenthood. Go to www.plannedparenthood.org and click the "donate" link.