Joel Benjamin Denning

Joel (Jolyn) Benjamin Denning, beloved child, sibling, and friend, passed away November 20, 2025, in Utah at the age of 35.

Joel was born May 11, 1990, in San Diego, California to Richard Todd Denning and Laurie Langlois Denning. Joel graduated with a degree in Computer Science from Brigham Young University in 2014. He created single-spa, a useful tool for web developers, and Just Utah Coders, a nonprofit offering free computer programming services.

Joel was known for his infectious giggle which lit up every room he entered. He will be remembered as a skilled computer programmer, a thoughtful gift giver with a tender heart, a killer ping ponger, an even better tennis athlete, and a world-class Super Smash Brothers player. Joel was an avid hiker and traveler who enjoyed nature and thrived in the great outdoors. Joel had a pure love for animals and adored spending time at the Tracy Aviary and Hogle Zoo. His dog, Franklin, was the love of his life.

In his last few years, Joel was in the process of transitioning to Jolyn. Jolyn is survived by her parents, Rick and Laurie, her four siblings, Jeffrey Denning of Austin, Texas, Jillian Denning of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Jenna Ditto of South Jordan, Utah, and Jessica Crandall of Riverton, Utah.