Adam David Christensen

“When someone you love becomes a memory, their memory becomes a cherished treasure.” Our beloved and radiant Adam, slipped away peacefully on January 27th, 2022, while surrounded by his family and enveloped in their love as he closed this chapter of his journey. What a beautiful and awe-inspiring journey it has been and what a gift he and his light were to this world each and every day of his 47 years. Adam David Christensen's story began on October 24th, 1974, in Pleasant Grove, UT. His parents, Michael and Jane Christensen, welcomed him into their family as their second child. Adam had striking dark hair, brilliant blue eyes, and an extra copy of his #21 chromosome. This extra chromosome would be his superpower that he would use to bless and enrich the lives of everyone that came across his path. Over the years, the family grew by 4 more siblings, and he took on the role of “Best Buddy” with each of them. He was a peacemaker and comforter and loved to make everyone laugh. He could quickly break any tension with one of his funny jigs, turn frowns into smiles by quoting one of his favorite movies or doing one of his well-rehearsed impersonations. He loved spending time with his family on road trips in the motorhome, attending the 4th of July parade with breakfast in the Mount Pleasant Park, or just watching cars drive by while sitting out on the sidewalk with his beloved dogs, Reggie or Sadie. If someone mentioned Disneyland, Adam lit up! It was one of his favorite places and to him the Tiki room and Peter Pan ride was where the extra Disney magic lay. Adam also enjoyed the thrill of competition. He participated in the Special Olympics many times and won medals with his efforts. He was also a master of the game UNO and would laugh hysterically whenever a wild card was played. Adam’s family relocated to Washington, UT during his middle school years. He and his group of friends “ruled the school” as they marched the halls of his beloved Pine View Middle and High School. Adam had an unquenchable zeal for sports that carried on throughout his adult life. You always knew when Adam was at any sporting event because he was the best and loudest cheerleader. He had so much school spirit that he was even asked to be the school mascot many times. Nobody can do a Panther proud like Adam! He and his best friends were the life of the assemblies and always entertaining the faculty and students. Adam was a ladies’ man and enjoyed going to school dances and tearing up the dance floor with his date. After high school, Adam wanted to experience independent living. Through the help of several organizations (Turn Services, ARC, Danville Services, and RISE), Adam was able to get the added support to be able to make that desire come to fruition. He worked at McDonald’s for years and his love for his precious “Cheeseburger and Fries” never waned. He carried on his culinary skills at home with special dishes like home cooked steaks he would elegantly microwave. He also enjoyed working at Dixie Workshop where he would fold towels and scrubs. These skills carried over into his day-to-day life with his attention to detail and order in his apartment. His shirts were all hung by category: road trip shirts, holiday shirts, high school sports, college sports, and professional sports….even his boxers were folded, creased and stacked meticulously. He worked at Hurst Ben Franklin and took his role as “trash collector” seriously and made sure to greet everyone he came upon along the way. He was a fan favorite at Costa Vida where he cleared tables and, as he would put it, “get lots of tips and lots of babes.” Adam LOVED holidays. The days leading up to 4th of July and Christmas always had him giddy with anticipation. He proudly wore his American Flag shirt every Independence Day. Christmas morning was always an outpouring of gratitude and love. He loved to give gifts and he equally loved to receive them. You knew if Adam opened some new Sports team apparel or DVDs...there was going to be tears. His love for King Kong, Jaws, ET, Hulk, Indiana Jones, COPS, Mash, and all things Disney held no bounds. Adam LOVED sports. He and one of his best friends and brother-in-law, Bo, were always trailblazing to sporting events and arenas. If he wasn’t in an arena, you knew he was in front of a TV rooting for his team. Adam knew how to make sure his team always won. If his team was no longer performing well, he had no qualms with excusing himself to change his attire to the opposing and most likely to win team and begin cheering for the imminent victors with zest. Even up until his last day, Adam was rooting for his beloved Rams to take the Super Bowl. Adam LOVED to travel. You could always find him contently sitting cockpit next to his dad on one of the thousands of miles they charted together while road tripping. Road trips also meant extra stops at Maverik for “a Pop”. Dr. Pepper was his elixir of choice and if he could sneak it past anyone to get a regular Dr Pepper instead of diet, he was one happy camper. He always made sure to grab an extra straw for himself to twiddle with between his fingers to keep him company and pass the time. His Dad planned stops at different sporting arenas so Adam could enjoy the energy and love of the sport even when there was no game being played. Adam LOVED spending time in nature. He was a staple in the home of his sister, Brianna, and also spent many days with her and her family in Pine Valley. Her husband’s family, the Iverson’s, fell in love with Adam from the get go and inducted him into their family with open arms. He spent many days at Fish Lake enjoying time with his family. He always felt like a boss when he got to be the captain of the fishing boat. Adam LOVED people. He considered his roommates his forever buddies. He loved attending special needs mutual and meeting new friends there. Whenever he came upon a stranger, they were guaranteed to get an extended hand in friendship and an “Um, I’m Adam. What’s your name?” One of Adam’s most frequently used phrases was a resounding, “I love my life!” He embodied that mantra each and every day. Adam LOVED his family. He had 7 calendars in his room that he carefully marked off each day to make sure he never missed a family members birthday. He had everyone’s memorized, even down to each of his beloved nieces and nephews and loved to give birthday phone calls to celebrate with them. He looked forward to family gatherings and if there was a birthday involved, Adam was always the maestro that would enthusiastically lead us in a boisterous round of Happy Birthday with his ever-present straw doubling as a baton. He always made sure to politely inquire if some of the leftovers from the meal could be packed up to go home with him because, “Um, Imma thinking about my lunch tomorrow.” His smile would light up the room whenever his mom or siblings from out of town came for a visit and he looked forward to that time with them immensely. At the age of 23, he fully embraced and welcomed a new stepmom and four more siblings into the family and went right to work in only the way Adam could, breaking down walls and building bridges as our two families blended into one. Adam LOVED to LOVE! Love doesn’t count chromosomes, but that extra chromosome Adam brought into this world helped him to be a pure vessel of embodied love, acceptance, and joy. He was always the first to hug, the first to comfort and the first to include. He was truly the purest example of living in the present and living from a true place of love we have ever known. Saying good-bye to Adam was one of the hardest things our family has ever done. Even while he lay in a hospital bed hooked up to all sorts of monitors and having life giving oxygen pumped into his laboring and Covid 19 compromised lungs, he was still giving us his smiles, his thumbs up, and his love. We cry now because he is gone. We smile now because he was here. Most of all, we give thanks that we were some of the lucky few he loved so fully and taught how to truly live. When someone possesses that kind of light within, everyone around them can’t help but feel it. He walked each day radiating that light and left us all with a piece of it to keep shining….first through our glimmering tears and now through our compassionate deeds, uplifting words, and open hearts. We will honor his life by trying, each day, to spread some of that light to others. We find solace in the knowledge that those we love never truly leave us. There are things that even death cannot touch. Adam will be sorely missed and is survived by: “My Dad” Michael and “My Debbie” Deb Christensen. “My Mommy” Jane Christensen. Siblings: Darrick and Candice Christensen, Mark and Sage Hendry, Cameron Christensen, Justin and Jen Davino, Bo and Brianna Iverson, Jeremy and Talea Hollingshead, Andrew and Amberly Christensen, Tyler and Cassidee Torres, Stewart and Betsy Solomonson, Tim and Tara Cusack, and Tanner and Andrea Torres. He is also survived by his grandma: Gaylie Morehead and his many nieces and nephews. Adam was preceded in death by his Grandad: Robert Morehead Jr., Grandpa: Victor John “Jack” Christensen, and Grandma: Wanza Christensen. The family would like to express their gratitude to the ICU Staff at St. George Regional Hospital. We also want to express our love to all of his trainers and staff that, over the years, helped him live an independent and fulfilling life. We also honor all of his many teachers for their mentoring and care. We recognize and give thanks to all those in the community who helped put smiles on his face through your kindness and friendship. A private and intimate viewing was held shortly after Adam’s passing. His ashes will now be shared with the family so that we can all honor his memory in our own special way. A celebration of life is now being planned where we can truly celebrate and honor his incredible life. Rest assured that Karaoke, dancing, and Dr Pepper will be present. Even if we won’t be able to see him, we will feel his presence there and see him in our minds eye…..shirt tucked in, belt fiercely attempted to hold up his jean shorts even though he missed slipping it through several belt loops…..and arms open wide...beckoning us all to join him on the dance floor. Loves forever, our Adam. For those wishing to further memorialize and honor Adam’s memory, feel free to follow his Instagram page at adventures.with.adam where we will continue to post memories from his spectacular life. Family and friends are invited to share condolences online at www.SerenityStG.com.

Adam David Christensen

October 24, 1974 - January 27, 2022