This post is to celebrate the life and tribute of Darren R. Duckworth. I was fortunate to know Darren for the short period that I did, I had the opportunity to work side by side with him while I was a supervisor at North American Recovery in fact Gavin, Darren and I all worked together there for a short period. Mostly I was around Darren at different family functions throughout the year and I loved how the kids were drawn to him. The kids always wanted to go jump on "Uncle Darren's" bed and wake him up, or chase him around trying to steal his hat away from him.
I am including the eulogy that Gavin wrote and gave at Darren's funeral which took place on August 7, 2010 and the Butler Ward where they grew up and attended church as kids. It was very clear through all of the support that Darren was not only well known, but incredibly loved by so many people. You are always in our hearts, thoughts and prayers Darren.
"As you all now from growing up with me or from knowing me now, I am not one who desires to be the center of attention, when I'm out of my element or comfort zone at all. Talking in public, about my feelings, ya not exactly a comfortable place for me. With htat being said, I'm going to do my best to express the feelings I have and I know allof you share for my brother.
To start, I do have to take back a stance I have always taken toward Facebook. My stance had always been how lame the site was and how it served no real important purpose at all. Well, I was completely proved wrong this week when the outpouring of support came from so many of you and man, many others to me and my family t hrough this site. There are no words to say how much t hat meant ot me and my family to hear the amount support and love so many had for Darren or "Duck" as many knew him by.
Darren was loved for being who he was at all times, whether it was his platinum blond spiked hair, or his large silver chain we all kidded him about, Darren was one of a kind and was loved for that.
Darren and I growing up were pretty inseparable, both of us loving sports and being as competitive as ever, caused for many fierce battles of football in our upstairs hallways, or backyard baseball in our small area of grass that we had. Pretty mcuh if we had a piece of sports equipment at all, no matter where we were it was on! This love for sports was shared by many of our friends here in this ward and neighborhood growing up, whether it was playing football in front of the boyer's and Mosteller's front yards, or the pick up basketball games here in the church gym, Darren loved it all.
I will always remember Darren tagging along with my friends and I going to play ball here at the church, he would hang out quietly on one end of the floor shooting as we were on the other end of the court, just waiting for a chance to play. As soon as someone was tired or had to leave, Darren was right there ready to jump in with no fear at all of us much older guys. My friends would be apprehensive at first having this much younger kid on their team, but it didn't take long at all for them to be immediately impressed with his ability and right away see him as one of us. I couldn't have been any prouder as his older brother.
The best sports experience for me though, above all I have ever experienced in my life was the chance I had to play on the same softball team as Darren a few years ago. Now that we were both out of college and living here in Salt Lake, we got the chance to play on the same team together with a bunch of our good friends we played ball with in college. Those few years playing on that team and being able to travel to tournaments together meant the world to me. I became so jealous of his absolute cannon for an arm, his great hitting and his unbelieveable speed around the bases (which I never admitted, but I do think he was a touch faster than I was). I became so proud and closer to him throughout those experiences, it's something I will never forget and always cherish.
Above anything else, most of you know Darren for his great personality, his huge heart and his light up a room smile. Being around Darren was always a good time and never boring. Darren touched the hearts of many people in so many different ways. But it wasn't just his friends and family that his heart touched, Darren loved kids...which makes sense Dar was really just a big kid at heart. He was so good with my kids..my nieces and nephews. They all love Uncle Darren, always wanting to go play with Uncle Darren, steal his hat and jump on his bed. It was the best time for all of them, Darren included. I will always remember and miss so much seeing Darren carrying one of the kids over his shoulder, while another is clinging to his leg and the rest chasing after them, with all of them laughing and smiling. I want to thank all of you so much for your support and love for my brother and my family. I cannot express how much it means to all of us at this time and always. Our hearts are hurting badly right now, but your support and hearing how Darren touched your lives in so many ways helps to mend the tear we feel in our hearts, so thank you so much.
I love my entire family so much. We really have the best extendded family there is, the love and support we receive from them is unmeasureable. To my mom, dad and Brandon you all mean the world to me and I am so proud of you and our family's. To my wife, I love you, thank you for all of your support and love you give me.
Darren, I love you so much, I will miss you with all of my heart. I will hold your spirit close to me always. I truly can feel and know you are in good hands and at peace. I love you."
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