Darren Lee Elder

1987 - 2021

Darren Lee Elder obituary, 1987-2021, Durango, CO

BORN

1987

DIED

2021

Darren Elder Obituary

Darren Lee Elder was born July 10, 1987 in Grand Junction, CO and passed away May 23, 2021 in Portland, OR. He was 33 years old.

He moved with his family to Lake Forest, CA when he was four and attended schools there, graduating from El Toro High School in 2005. He then attended Ft Lewis college in Durango, Colorado.

Some of the various jobs Darren did included being a river guide at Los Rios River Runners in Taos, NM, working at different self-sustaining farms, and later as a cook for the Vagabond in Portland, OR.

He enjoyed reading, dogs, horticulture, and traveling and visited many countries, mostly in South America, which brought him to his next adventure. He did training to become a Merchant Marine and set sail on ships to the Canary Islands, Japan, and other locations. He recently settled into a role on the American Empress, docked in Portland, OR. Darren had a restless spirit.

Darren is survived by his mother Donna Arriza (Ben) Sun City, AZ, father Douglas Elder (Jan) Scottsdale, AZ, and brother Nicholas Elder, Greeley, CO, grandmother Glenda Lynch, Sun City, AZ, and grandfather Howard Elder, Nucla, CO, his uncle Bill Blake, Sun City, AZ, and several cousins. He is preceded in passing by his maternal grandfather Donald Blake and his paternal grandmother Judy Elder.

He will be greatly missed.

A celebration of his life will be held for the family in the future.

Please send memorial donations, if desired, to your local animal shelter or online in memory of Darren Elder at the Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix AZ.

Published by The Durango Herald on Jun. 3, 2021.
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Memories and Condolences
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4 Entries

I met Darren in Seamanship School. He was very intelligent and outgoing. He had told me of his past and seemed to be doing well He seemed that he was restless inside. We kept in touch for a while and then he stopped replying. I was very sad to hear of his passing. Prayers go to his family. He will be missed

Erik Andersen

Erik Andersen

Friend

June 9, 2021

I met Darren in Seamanship School. He was very intelligent and outgoing. He had told me of his past and seemed to be doing well He seemed that he was restless inside. We kept in touch for a while and then he stopped replying. I was very sad to hear of his passing. Prayers go to his family. He will be missed

Erik Andersen

Erik Andersen

Friend

June 9, 2021

Darren was a beautiful young man as I remember him while living in Lake Forest with his parent. He was always smiling like his beautiful Mom. Donna and I worked together fir years and have remained great friends since. My heart goes out to the family and know that Darren is at peace. He will sorely be missed. Condolences to Darren’s family and friends, especially to Donna and Nick. ❤

Debbie Halverson

Friend

June 5, 2021

Donna and Doug, we are so very sorry for the loss of your dear son, Darren. We are praying that God will provide comfort to your broken hearts.

Donna Milazzo

Friend

June 4, 2021

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