Daren David Redden, born January 13, 1965, peacefully passed away at his home in Draper, Utah on December 1, 2018, after a 6 year battle with ALS. Daren was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. As a young boy, he lived in San Jose, California, then spent the rest of his childhood in Sweet Home, Oregon where he graduated from high school in 1983.
He went on to play football for BYU and then served a mission in Concepción Chile for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1987, he and his sweetheart Leah Black were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. He earned a masters of pharmacy from Oregon State University in Corvallis where they lived for seven years.
He began his career there and later moved to Draper, Utah and worked tirelessly for years as a pharmacist until he was diagnosed with ALS and was no longer able. Daren and Leah are the proud parents of daughters Alexis Leah (Lexi) and Olivia Hailey (Livi). Daren’s living maternal grandmother is Doreene Hoopiiaina and his parents are David and Carol Redden, and two younger siblings Natalie (David) Bird and Matthew (Michele) Redden.
He is now united with his maternal grandfather, Wilford Hoopiiaina, and paternal grandparents Phillip and Beatrice Redden. Daren was passionate about many things in life. Most importantly, family.
He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, his daughters being the center of his world. They enjoyed traveling and experiencing many adventures. His loving wife, Leah, devoted all for his care and well-being and he loved her for this sacrifice.
A few years ago, at an ALS event, Daren said, “When you are facing death, all of your thoughts funnel to Christ and you just start thinking about your family and what they will be doing. I watch people so focused and caught up in things that don’t matter and if we could just focus on our Heavenly Father and Christ nothing else matters”. He lifted and inspired many people because of his faith and love for Jesus Christ and His gospel.
Daren’s mission statement is printed on the back of the Hulk Van that he was chauffeured around in over the last few years. It reads, “To those with a terminal illness…we are greater than what we suffer! The human spirit is more powerful than any infirmity we face on earth…fight with passion, fight with hope…finish strong”.
A viewing will be Thursday, December 6, 6:00 – 8:00 pm, at Anderson & Goff Mortuary, 11859 South 700 East, Draper, UT. There will be an additional viewing Friday, December 7, from 10:00 – 10:45 am followed by funeral services at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1617 E 12700 S, Draper, UT. If you would like to honor Daren with a charitable donation, please go to www.
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