Darrell Ray Cheney's Obituary
Darrell Ray Cheney, 75, loving husband, father of six, beloved grandfather of seventeen, friend and neighbor to many, returned to his heavenly home on October 3, 2025 after recently being diagnosed with metastatic GI cancer. He passed peacefully in his sleep at his home in East Millcreek, Utah. He was born November 29, 1949 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Orval and LaNore Christiansen Cheney. He attended and graduated from Highland High School, in the class of 1968. Darrell served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern States Mission from 1969-71. Upon his return he completed his electrician certification and attended the University of Utah and completed his bachelor of science degree in Physics and Mathematics. Darrell married the love of his life, Lyn, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on June 9, 1976. He worked for many years as an engineer in retail establishments and completed home repair for several residents around Salt Lake City.
Darrell served a mission teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and attributed this decision to serve a mission as the great turning point of his life. During his mission he lived and served in various locations around New York City and Connecticut. He loved those whom he served and taught the gospel to. Later in his life he proudly brought his entire family of six children to visit New York City and presented them the wooden doors of the mission home he helped restore on 973 5th Avenue in Manhattan. Darrell took great joy and satisfaction in serving his mission.
As a young adult, Darrell was fascinated with automotive car repair and motorcycles. Prior to marrying, he acquired the original frame of a 1916 Chandler automobile. He rebuilt this car with a 1969 Mustang engine and it ultimately became a family relic, prized by his children and grandchildren for weddings, dances, school events, and shopping garage sales. Darrell had great satisfaction taking things that were broken and in need of repair and fixing them. He was frequently working on a project even during his last days at home.
Darrell’s boundless love and service were hallmark to his character. He demonstrated his love through many acts of service. As a man of faith, his children observed their father serve in many callings in his church congregation, serving extensively in the Boy Scouts of America program, as gospel doctrine and primary teacher, and in elders quorum presidencies. When their children were grown, Darrell and Lyn served in the Salt Lake Inner City Mission as service missionaries for three years. In addition to his public service, Darrell demonstrated great devotion to serving widows and widowers within his vicinity. He did this through providing extensive and prolonged home repair work, arranging and bringing food, and taking time to sit and visit with those who were alone. Darrell’s service came naturally and effortlessly. He was known to watch and always leave every water glass refilled at the dinner table.
Darrell’s greatest treasure was the time he spent with his family. Some of his family’s most cherished memories include going on roadtrips with a van he fixed up to include a bed, stove, and TV. Darrell also loved spending time with his family members at the cabin he built with his father and brother in Oakley, Utah. He poured extensive time into maintaining and beautifying the cabin and property to be an escape for his closest family and friends. He spent time taking children on snow rides, tours to the river, and the water tower. He was often found around the cabin completing projects, using the splitter for firewood, quietly contemplating, and doing dishes. The cabin remains a very special place to all who have gone as it speaks to his diligent effort to provide a home away from home for his loved ones.
Darrell’s work ethic was stalwart and consistent. One of the many legacies that he taught his children was the virtue of hard work. He taught this by bringing his children with him to various home repair work projects. He used these work opportunities to teach his children skills and stamina to complete work and to put in appropriate time to get a project done effectively the first time. Hours were devoted to teaching his children that practical work would help them be self-sufficient, skilled, and disciplined. Darrell’s love and example will continue to bless the lives of many generations to come.
He is survived by his wife, Marylyn Mabey Cheney, his Children, Brook (Mat) Parrish, Spencer (Candice) Cheney, Keli (Curt) Thomas, Jeni (Jordan) Cowan, Chase (Ashley) Cheney, Alison (Jared) Daniels. Grandchildren Riley, Austin Parrish; Ella, Corinne, Emery, Charlize Cheney; Lulu, Remington, Sawyer, Croix Thomas; Asher, Peyton, Quinn, Finnegan Cowan; Avalon, Bennett Cheney; Ariel Daniels. Sister Linda (Glenn) Reich. Brothers Brent (Lucy) Cheney; Kent Cheney. He is predeceased by his father Orval Cheney; mother LaNore Christansen Cheney; Sister JaNae Cheney Nicholes; Brother-in-law Phillip Nicholes.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at the Meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3408 S Celeste Way Salt Lake City, UT 84109 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
Viewing and funeral services will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025 at the Meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3408 S Celeste Way Salt Lake City, UT 84109. Viewing at 9:00 - 10:30 am and funeral at 11:00 am. Burial and graveside services will be held at Wasatch Lawn, 3401 S Highland Dr Millcreek, UT 84106 immediately following the funeral service at 1:00pm.
A livestream of funeral services can be viewed via the link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/AL9RyUqFaBg
What’s your fondest memory of Darrell?
What’s a lesson you learned from Darrell?
Share a story where Darrell's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Darrell you’ll never forget.
How did Darrell make you smile?