Darren Johnson Obituary (1981

Our hearts are broken at the loss of our beloved son, brother, father, cousin, and friend, Darren Dean Johnson, who passed away on March 19, 2026, following a stroke. He was taken from us far too soon. Darren was born on September 24, 1981, in Ogden, Utah, to Karen Nielsen Thomas and Jeffrey Carter Johnson. From the very beginning, he brought energy, curiosity, and adventure into the lives of those around him. His mother fondly remembered him as a spirited and busy boy who loved the outdoors and was rarely far from a bit of mischief. Those childhood adventures sometimes led to a few memorable trips for stitches—stories that would later be shared with laughter and love. Darren shared a special bond with his siblings and cousins, relationships he cherished throughout his life. He also built a wide circle of friends, drawn to his lively personality and his genuine ability to connect with others. He loved being active and spent much of his time outdoors. Summers were filled with baseball, camping, and family trips to Lake Powell, while winters often found him skiing. He also developed a love for fishing while spending time with his Grandpa Dean and Grandma Leah, creating memories he carried with him always. Darren attended Weber High School, where he graduated with honors. He enjoyed playing basketball beginning in junior high and continuing through his freshman and junior years. He later graduated from the University of Utah, where he developed a passion for business and marketing. Darren discovered a love for gardening, cooking, and barbecuing for family and friends. He loved that his mother taught him how to make salsa and would later remind her that “raspberries have no business being in salsa”. While working for The Lovesac Company, Darren moved to Stamford, Connecticut. There, he met and married Leigh Tunney, and together they welcomed two beautiful children, Dean and Poppy. Although he and Leigh later divorced, Darren remained a devoted and loving father. Dean and Poppy were the greatest joy of his life, and he treasured every moment with them—hiking, fishing, biking, skateboarding, painting, and building forts together. We will cherish the pictures that he painted together with his kids. Darren will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, his warmth and integrity, and his remarkable ability to bring people together. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. A memorial service was held in Connecticut. We invite you to celebrate the life of Darren at a second memorial, remembering the love and laughter he brought into our lives, on April 6, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at 3628 South 2700 West, West Haven, UT. There will be a brief program followed by a time to share memories and visit with family and friends. He will later be interred at the Myers Evergreen Memorial Park located in Ogden Utah. Please help us celebrate Darren by sharing memories and uploading photos to his memorial page at https://www.myers-mortuary.com/obituaries/darren-johnson-2026. Services entrusted to Myers Mortuary of Ogden.