Darrell Edwin Tate

Darrell Edwin Tate passed away December 11, 2023 after almost 50 years battling Type 1 Diabetes and all its inevitable complications.

Darrell was known for his patriotism, his obsession with books and movies (he loved a good story), his great sense of humor, quick wit, inquisitive mind, and most of all his dedication and love he had for his family.

Darrell was born June 24, 1962 to Boyd R Tate and Thelma E Andrus Tate at Salt Lake City LDS Hospital. The 7th of 9 children, he was raised in Davis County, but loved the time he spent adventuring at Lyman Lake and playing with his cousins and siblings at his grandparents home
in Draper.

His first significant battle with his body began at 11 when he had a tumor removed from his brain. Within 2 years he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and it was devastating. He had to grow up quickly and learn to take care of himself in ways his peers couldn’t understand. Like most boys though, he loved fast cars and motorcycles, adventures in the woods, canoeing and camping with the scouts, chasing girls, and playing football in the yard.

Darrell met Jennifer Julien and her daughter Jessica at the singles ward in 1992, they were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in 1993. Soon after he was able to adopt Jessica and they later had two boys, Julien and Gabriel. He had always dreamed of being a father and he was
amazing at it! He’d tell you he never knew if he was truly great at anything, but he would never stop in his pursuit to be the best dad he could be.

He served the church in numerous callings over the years, but one of his favorites was in Webelos. He enjoyed spending time helping kids problem solve and introduce them to tips and tricks for survival in the outdoors. It also gave him the opportunity to share his love of sports with
young men who weren’t quite old enough to expect him to be good at the things he claimed to enjoy. He was an avid 49ers fan, he loved the Jazz (as any true Utahn should), he also enjoyed playing golf when he could, and later in life he followed NHL (Golden Knights) and Formula 1.

Darrell started working in retail during his high school years and quickly rose to a management position at ZCMI. He continued his career in managing retail stores including Meier & Frank, then Barnes & Noble, until his diabetes led to his first of multiple amputations in 2003. He
worked with excellent orthopedic specialists and wore special shoes that helped keep him on his feet and able to work without toes for many years. When it became too risky to continue working on his feet, he was determined to learn how to work with his head and his hands instead. He briefly went back to school and became a licensed paralegal and also did some dictation for his father-in-law's medical practice. His health struggles continued and Darrell, Jenny, Julien, and Gabe moved to St. George in 2014 to get away from the harsh winters. They enjoyed their time there and made a lot of close friends in their neighborhood. Eventually, Darrell and Jenny separated and Gabe remained in St. George to continue his college education at Utah Tech, while Darrell and Julien moved back up to Sandy to live with Jessica, her husband Ryan, and their daughter Nairie.

In October of 2021, Darrell had a fall which resulted in a wound that, despite constant care, eventually led to the amputation of his right leg, just below the knee. The recovery was difficult, especially during the COVID pandemic, but he was determined to learn to walk again. He graduated through multiple levels of prosthetics and was committed to eating a healthier diet, building his upper body strength, and finding his independence again. He eventually was confident enough in both his eyesight and mobility that he got himself a motorized trike so that
he could run small errands and get outside for some exercise. He became mobile and more independent than he had been in years, and his family was so happy for him. He proved once more that he could overcome yet another, and what would seemingly be his last, big challenge.
Darrell was a man who gave his heart freely. His ability to be vulnerable and honest was endearing. He loved being challenged and would participate in anything he could do virtually with his family and friends. He was steadfast in his beliefs but was far from judgmental. He survived so many trials in his earthly life and he has left his family with a lot to live up to.

His parents, Boyd and Thelma Tate, preceded him in death and will be waiting for him with open arms alongside his siblings Richard Tate,
Thomas Tate, and Kenneth Tate/Janelle Johnson.

Darrell is survived by his children Jessica Hogan (Ryan), Julien Tate, Gabriel Tate (Chloe), and his grandchildren Nairie Hogan, and Ollie Olsen.
His ex-wife Jennifer Tate, his siblings Tana Fugal (Niels), Brian Tate (Marla), Karon Lenarz (Joseph), Leah Allen (Carl), Julie Reynolds, Cindy Cunningham (Brian), Lannete Powell, Susanne Tate and lots of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

There will be a memorial in his honor in the coming year. Details will be shared with close friends and family on Facebook as the date gets closer.