Darrell Brent Griffiths

Darrell “Brent” Griffiths passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 20, 2023 in Providence, Utah at 76 years old. We are all grieving the loss of his presence in our lives.

Brent was born on September 18, 1946 to Darrell and Cleo Griffiths in Provo, Utah. He was an older brother to twin sisters and was known for being a helper and protector to them. He loved the outdoors, hiking, and camping and was only 7 years old when he first hiked to the top of Mt. Timpanogos with his uncle. He graduated from West High School in Salt Lake City in 1965. He then attended one year at the University of Utah and met the love of his life, Karen Lamont. They went on an adventure to Alaska and married in Valdez, Alaska on October 4, 1966 and were later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple in 1968. Brent worked in the petroleum industry amongst the rugged mountain wilderness that he loved. He transitioned from hunting to photography. He liked to joke that he switched from hunting animals with a rifle to with a Canon.

He served his country in Vietnam as a sergeant for the U.S. Army. Shortly after returning from his service, he was recruited to the petroleum engineering program where he earned a perfect score on the entrance exam! (See? He was more than just a pretty face!) He had to complete 6 months of schooling in Texas and then moved back to Alaska to begin his career in fluid systems engineering. Brent and Karen were blessed with their first three children in Alaska. He was headhunted by a large oil company in Texas, so they moved to Houston in 1978 where they spent the next 25 years. They were blessed with 6 more children and made many wonderful friends. He traveled all over the world for work, but still tried to make it to every concert, game, campout, or program for his nine children.

In 2003, Brent and Karen moved to Providence, Utah to be close to their aging parents. A few years later, Brent fully retired. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings over the years, but his favorites were always teaching. From nursery to cub scouts to seminary to gospel doctrine, he enjoyed crafting and delivering thought-provoking lessons. Brent and Karen loved serving as ordinance workers in the Logan Temple, as full-time senior missionaries in Armenia, and as service missionaries in Cache Valley.

Brent loved to travel. Karen and he went on 42 cruises, one of which circumnavigated the globe. He has visited 6 continents and traveled to every country on his bucket list. He was a voracious reader and you could often find him with a book in his hand or solving a puzzle. He loved learning–anything from subatomic particle physics to literary classics to historical fictions to Impressionist art movements. He had an impeccable memory and could cite lines of poems that he had memorized fifty years ago. He had a joke for almost every topic, some more colorful than others. He loved his family and enjoyed making lasting memories with his children and grandchildren. He particularly loved taking them to Yellowstone, which was nostalgic from his own childhood, and the Canadian Rockies. He was self-reliant and instilled the value of fiscal responsibility to his children.

Brent is preceded in death by his parents, Darrel and Cleo Griffiths and his sister, Carolyn. He is survived by his sweetheart and adoring companion, Karen; his sister, Marilyn; his children Jenny, Dan (Lindsey), Elizabeth, Cat (Ed), Kevin (Elma), Johnny (Becca), Susan (Paul), James (Natalie), Ken; and 25 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 24th at the Edgehill Ward Building at 266 Canyon Rd, Providence, UT 84332. A viewing will be held at 9:30 AM and a memorial service subsequently at 11:00 AM.