Dustin J. Christensen

Dustin J. Christensen age 37 passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in North Salt Lake, Utah on Friday, April 28, 2023. Dustin was born on October 13, 1985, to Jeffery D. Christensen and Julie Maynes in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was a big, beautiful boy with a mischievous personality that kept the new parents on their toes. Dustin grew up loving to tease his brothers and sister.

Jumping out and scaring someone was a favorite activity. He would poke and prod until someone got mad, then he would laugh. He shared his red hair with his only sister Ryen. He always made sure she knew he loved her by placing his entire hand over her face. He loved to play video games with his brothers and of course wrestle with them too. Dustin was a lover of animals, especially dogs. He grew up with many in his family and he loved to get them riled up. Sam, Zina, Max, Meisha and Piper were a few of his favorite pets.

Raised in West Valley City, Utah he graduated from Cyprus High School in 2004. He became a Pharmacy Technician but soon decided he preferred to do sales. Dustin could sell ice cubes to an Eskimo! He went into banking, later did insurance sales for healthcare and dabbled in the Stock Market doing day trading and invested in Bit Coin.

He married Kaylee Roundy on August 23, 2008, but later divorced. While married they had two handsome sons; Benson J and Brindon Cash.

Dustin was an amazing adventurous traveler who was always on the lookout for his next adventure. He loved being in the outdoors, riding his motorcycle (The Mule), Jet Skiing until he ran out of gas, shooting guns, 4 wheeling in Moab and St. George, swimming, fishing, bow hunting with his stepdad Burt, and walking and hiking with his beloved dog Piper.

He participated in the Spartan Race and Tough Mudder Race with his brother Josh. During High School Dustin found a love for fitness. He lifted weights and worked out every day, drank all kinds of healthy mixed concoctions he made (that no one else would try) and then discovered Jiu Jitsu.

He felt like people were the most connected to themselves and the universe while rolling. On the Jiu Jitsu mat, he was immediately smitten with Esther the first time he saw her, and she became the love of his life and soulmate. They were both so immediately head over heels in love that despite only being together for six weeks, they moved in together and combined all five of their sons in a loving, fun-filled, adventure-seeking home. Dustin was always with Esther and his five boys, and he loved being a Dad more than anything else in this world.

In the past two months Dustin had transitioned to being a full-time Dad and was the happiest he had been in his life. He always told Esther the most important thing in the world to him was spending time with her and their boys. He loved teaching the boy's kindness, generosity, being adventurous, Jiu Jitsu and how to be a little crazy at times! In the last five years he focused on living his life the way he wanted to. He had amazing phrases he used all the time like "Good Vibes", "It will be an experience", "That was an experience", "Just keep loving them"
(referring to his boys) and "I love you so much" (Esther's personal favorite!). He often told Esther that his dog Piper was Esther in dog form and that is why he loved the dog so much. Since they joined families, he always told Esther that he chose to be on this crazy adventure with her and was in it all the way!

Dustin loved Jiu Jitsu and being with the Jiu Jitsu community. He often attended open mats and loved that Esther had the same passion for Jiu Jitsu that he did. He loved seeing his five boys learning Jiu Jitsu and was so proud of them. Last February, he got the unique opportunity of seeing all five boys roll at the same time at a kids’ open mat at Tooele Martial Academy. He was a proud Papa and took multiple videos of their experience.

Dustin and Esther also visited friend's Jiu Jitsu gyms and were always at Utah Jiu Jitsu open mat. People loved rolling with him not only for his technical ability but also his amazing happy and loving self. He made so many friends within the Jiu Jitsu community. He was so proud this past November when he was able to achieve a long-time goal of competing with his friends and teammates at Proving Grounds Invitational. Dustin's Jiu Jitsu game was his own unique style, and his spirit animal was an octopus, as that mimicked the way he moved. At Utah Jiu Jitsu open mat, he would often roll back-to-back with Esther for multiple rounds, and he was always the last one off the mat. He was always looking for someone to roll with and seldom took breaks if could find someone to roll with him. He would roll with anyone who wanted to at any time.

Dustin loved spending time with his parents, brothers, Esther's family, and their close family friends. He loved doing the annual Christensen family reunion, annual Bear Lake trip, Thanksgiving with the family in St. George, Christmas and the many extra impromptu adventures. He really enjoyed spending time with his three brothers Garrett, Austin and Logan and their families. He supported all of his siblings by attending their graduations and being there when their children were born. He was always up for adventures and his fun-loving spirit made every experience better.

He was very grateful to his parents Jeff and Kerri for all the guidance he received from them, and he felt like he got much of his spirit for adventure and his need for speed from his Dad. He felt like he knew how to love his blended family after watching his parents do it. They were a great example of raising boys.

Dustin was very proud of all five of his boys. Benson-11, Brindon-9, Ethan-9, Sebastian-6 & Xavier-6. He loved watching them compete in Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, train in Jiu Jitsu and all of their progress at their swimming lessons. He especially loved watching them grow and develop in school and was always commenting on how well they were doing. He loved doing homework with them, especially reading. He was so very proud when he watched them having acts of kindness towards each other, playing together as one big team, playing Play Station with them, and listening to them telling stories about their day. Dance parties at their house were also a favorite activity. He was always focused on being grateful for all that he had in his life and loved seeing his sons have the same appreciation.

Dustin was the world’s best listener. He was always actively listening and taking in everything before responding. He also was a notorious teaser. He loved pushing people’s buttons (especially Esther, his boys and family) just to see their responses. Dustin's positive outlook, contagious laugh, large personality, and vocabulary will be deeply missed by all his family and friends. He left this earth too soon, as we felt the adventure was just beginning; but we know he will be right there along with us as we continue this adventure called life.

Dustin is survived by his parents Jeff (Kerri) Christensen & Julie (Burt) Maynes; partner & Soulmate Esther Hardy, Sons Benson Christensen, Brindon Christensen, Ethan Hardy, Sebastian Hardy and Xavier Hardy; brothers Garrett Brown, Austin (Alyssa) Brown, Logan (Jade) Brown, Josh (Briel) Maynes, Bryce (Shania) Maynes, Sister Ryen (Elliott) Riegel; grandparents Sylva Christensen, Michael (Eileen) Bruce and Gloria Jeager; ,any Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and loved nieces and nephews.

Dustin was preceded in death by his Grandfathers Jerry Dee Christensen and Richard Jeager

Funeral services will be held at Noon on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Larkin Mortuary – Riverton, 3688 West 12600 South in Riverton, Utah. A public viewing will be held at the same location Friday evening from 6-8 PM, as well as Saturday prior to services beginning at 11 AM. Interment to follow at the Valley View Memorial Park in West Valley City, Utah.

Funeral services will be streamed via Zoom for those wishing to attend virtually. To watch the streamed services, you must have a personal Zoom account. To join the stream, please click the “Watch Services” link above.