Daniel Despain Askew

Dan attended Brighton High School where he met lifelong friends and created memories to last a lifetime. After high school, and against many obstacles, Dan chose to serve the people of Santiago, Chile for two years, helping spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There he bonded with and became part of another loving and incredibly supportive group of friends.

Shortly after serving a mission, Dan reconnected with Kristi Taylor, who quickly became his longtime love. They married on October 19, 2000, in the Salt Lake Temple where they were sealed for all eternity. Dan and Kristi loved mountain biking, hiking, road tripping, boating, and exploring the outdoors together. Dan loved skiing above all, and although Kristi didn’t quite catch up to his skill level, she supported him going skiing with his brothers, friends, and children as often as possible. Kristi unwaveringly served Dan to the very end and continues to love him with every fiber of her being.

Dan attended the University of Utah and graduated with a degree in Business in 2003. He worked full-time during his schooling to avoid student loans and debt. He was always ethical and hard-working, budget-savvy, and careful with finances. He was blessed to work with many great companies and meet friends who made an impact on his life.

Dan was divinely prepared to serve and be part of his children’s lives. He included them in anything he could, from shoveling the driveway to choosing their first pair of skis. He read books to them using his own made-up stories, causing belly laughs before bedtime every night. He played the best games of Daddy Monster, cavorted with the kids to prank Kristi, and created sacred, cherished memories in the everyday moments of life. Dan never once missed a day of reading the scriptures and made sure that family scripture reading happened every day. One of Dan’s last acts was to ordain his youngest son, Henry, to the Aaronic Priesthood.

Above all, Dan’s faith superseded his fear and affliction with Huntington’s Disease. He dedicated much of his adult life to being a participant in various medical studies on this hellish disease. It was his greatest desire to find a cure.

Dan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Everett and Nellie Kunz and John A. Askew and Idelle Askew; his father John D. Askew; sisters Amy Bishop and Julie Askew.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Kristi Taylor; his remarkable children, Clara, Eddie, and Henry; mother and stepfather, Lael and Dave Ehlers; his siblings, Scott and Carol Askew, Charles and Traci Askew, and Jane and Gary Denning; many nieces and nephews, as well as loving cousins and friends.