Daniel Hexem

September 18, 1956 - November 6, 2020

Daniel James Hexem was born September 18, 1956 at the U.S. Army base in Bad Kreuznach, Germany to Rodney and Charmian (Telkamp) Hexem. He was the second of five children, three of which were born in Germany while his dad served as a quartermaster for the Army. After his father’s service, the family moved to Brookings, South Dakota in 1958, where his father finished school. Brookings always held a special place in Dan’s heart. His childhood was spent among family, and he particularly loved spending summers on his grandparents' farms in South Dakota and Minnesota. When the family relocated to Jonesboro, Arkansas in 1964, Dan grew into a true southern country boy. Between riding his bike around the campus of Arkansas State University where his father taught, gardening, raising horses, and butchering chickens, he remained active in assisting his family and others. Dan gained the skills of hard work and service at a young age, creating a foundation of his lifelong love for serving others and digging around in a garden. As a teenager, Dan would spend his free time camping, scouting, and socializing at church dances. Many memories of trips to Memphis for dances were recounted to his family. All these years later, he still shared appreciation that his parents would take time to drive him and his siblings to have those experiences. Dan enjoyed music, particularly jazz and bluegrass. Once a licensed driver, he regularly traveled to Memphis to participate in the music culture, though playing tuba in the high school band was where his own musical career pinnacled. Dan lucked out by graduating high school one year early, due not only to his vast intelligence, but also the fact that his school burned down. He attended Arkansas State University and worked on their landscape crew until leaving to serve an LDS Mission in 1975. Dan served in the Toulouse, France mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1975-1977. One of Dan’s fondest memories was traveling through France and onto England after completing his mission. He adventured through Europe with three other elders, spending a week casually exploring and sightseeing. He never tired of showing his kids the slides from that trip of a lifetime. Gratitude was an ever-present theme in Dan’s life and he was particularly appreciative of his parents’ financial sacrifice that provided those treasured memories. After his mission, Dan attended Brigham Young University, earning a bachelor degree in psychology. On June 16, 1978 while attending an opening social for a student ward in Provo, Utah, Dan met his future wife, Darlene Peterson. Though she was determined not to even contemplate marriage until age 21, he charmed her into an early engagement. The couple was married and sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on November 25, 1978. The couple welcomed their first child, Keith, on Dan’s 23rd birthday. He always treasured sharing this special day with his son, and there was typically a major Hexem family celebration to prove it. Dan and Darlene added four more children over the next 16 years. After each child was born, Dan immediately took the newborn around, showing them off to his co-workers and friends at the hospital, frequently being gone for several hours. He loved his kids deeply and everyone knew it. Although Dan worked two full-time jobs during the majority of his childrens’ formative years, he always found unique ways to support their goals and interests. His family never went without, and there are enumerable memories spent on vacation at Disneyland and Newport Beach. Before his passing, Dan shared with his children that he never particularly cared for Disneyland or (don’t tell Darlene) California. What Dan did love was witnessing the joy in his children’s eyes from the experiences he was able to provide. Dan worked all along the Wasatch Front as a respiratory therapist for over 30 years. From hospitals to home healthcare, Dan left an impression everywhere he went. He gained a reputation early in his career as a prankster, and he was all the more beloved for it. While visiting Dan at the hospital during one of his many stays, the family would often arrive to find his room crowded with co-workers from decades before that came to spend time with him. Memories of elaborate practical jokes that were expertly planned and executed were retold, as well as memories shared of Dan going above and beyond for his patients. A family friend described a particularly heartfelt experience when Dan comforted his elderly mother as she neared the end of her life. He whispered encouraging words of love in her ear until family could be there to support her. Dan patiently sat on the sidelines, waiting for their questions. He took the time to explain her care in terms they could easily understand. Reflecting on Dan’s ability to touch the lives of others, especially during the worst days they would ever endure, has become one of his family’s greatest joys. He truly loved and supported those in need. Dan was an avid scriptorian, as well as a spy-novel enthusiast. During 2020 alone, he read the Book of Mormon in its entirety three times, and was anxious to begin again, searching for insights that may have previously been missed. Dan worked tirelessly towards building his faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ. His love for family and their history led to innumerable hours spent searching through old newspaper articles and archives, collecting as much information about relatives as he could. He spent much of his adult life in service to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their efforts to support others in family history work. Many Sunday afternoons would find Dan in the Family History Center of his local wardhouse, researching or teaching others how to perform a family history search. Service was at the very core of Dan’s existence. He gladly ministered in any church calling he was given, his favorite being a worker in the Mount Timpanogos, Utah temple. His example of cheerful service to others is a legacy his children and grandchildren are honored to continue. Dan, himself, summed it up best: “We don’t know what Heavenly Father’s plan is for us. He wants us to decide for ourselves, even if it isn’t the choice that He would want us to make. A lot of people have talked about speed bumps in the road. Well, I have had more mountains to climb over than bumps. All of these challenges were not fun. They were not easy to go through. I have learned a lot; mostly patience, being more understanding of who people are and seeing them as they could be, rather than judging or being critical of who they seem. And being more appreciative of who is around you. Darlene and my kids have helped me out enormously. So have neighbors and ward members. There has been a lot of support. And that has been the greatest blessing - the support from others.” Dan will live on through his five children: Keith Hexem, Kimberly (Dane) Godwin, Tiffany (Ryan) Van Dorn, Kent Hexem, and Michael Hexem, as well as 10 grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Darlene, and his siblings: Greg (Sue) Hexem, Kelli Hexem, Rugan (Mark) Saal, and Jeff Hexem, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings-in-law, nieces, and nephews. The family would like to express their gratitude for the countless individuals who loved and cared for their husband and father over the years. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the cost of his healthcare and funeral services. Venmo @darlene-hexem or email [email protected] for mailing address. There will be a graveside for the family on Thursday, November 12th in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery.