Darren Anthony Richie

Darren Richie was larger than life-and we don't mean that just because he was 6'4" and regularly had to duck through doorways. He had a presence that left an indelible mark on everyone who met him.

Beginning, of course, with his family. Darren Anthony Richie was born in Newark, New Jersey, on November 20, 1965 to Helen (Parnell) Richie and Araldo Charles Richie. As child number four of six, there is no shortage of stories to tell of his antics. Including the time Darren ran away from home on his dad's birthday. (It didn't go over well.) Darren graduated from Nutley High School in 1983.

On February 22, 1980, Darren gave his life to Christ while attending his youth group's retreat-the same night as USA hockey's "Miracle on Ice." Darren often joked that the real miracle was that his life was radically changed. Brookdale Baptist Church and Fidelis catapulted him into his call to ministry. It was there that he was encouraged to attend Northeastern Bible College in Essex Fells, New Jersey, where he was a three-sport athlete and served as the student body president. Upon graduation, Darren coached their women's basketball team and served in the athletic department in various roles-eventually becoming the assistant athletic director. While there, he serendipitously met the gorgeous and kind-hearted Claire Schultheis. They were married on July 1, 1989. Both Darren and Claire became actively involved in church planting with Meadowbrook Church in northern New Jersey, and later with Westwoods Community Church in Lakewood, Colorado.

Claire and Darren proceeded to not stop "trying for that boy," but were blessed instead with Jessica, Nicole, Cassidy, Lindsey, and Jordan-their very own girl's basketball team (except, in further irony, none are particularly athletic). I suppose that helps explain why Darren spent the next 30 years leading athletic departments and coaching teams at the high school and college level.

In 1992, Darren and Claire relocated to Colorado, where Darren worked at Westland Christian Academy as a history teacher, basketball coach, and baseball coach. In 1993, he began a 14-year career at Bailey's Moving and Storage. All the while, he coached baseball and 11 seasons of men's basketball at D'Evelyn High School-the highlight, of course, was winning the 2003-2004 State Championship. Darren went on to serve as the athletic director at Colorado Christian University (Lakewood, CO), Webber International University (Lake Wales, FL), and Columbia International University (Columbia, SC). Under his leadership, his programs have won seven NCCAA National Championships, two NAIA National Championships, and appeared in over 50 NCCAA, NAIA, and NCAA Division II national tournaments. If you met Darren, you knew that he was the most proud of leading a dozen trips to Costa Rica with teams of student-athletes, where athletes and coaches used their sport as a platform to share the gospel through hosting games, leading clinics for teams and gym classes, and building relationships with kids.

Earlier this year, Darren was inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame, celebrating his decades of service to student-athletes and coaches. At the dinner in his honor, Darren said, "It's not about the great success or winning championships or how many student-athletes or sports, but it's about the life change that occurred, and the many student-athletes that gave their lives to Christ. When you can do that AND win championships, it's so rewarding."

While he had many impressive accomplishments, the best title he received was that of "Pops." He turned his home into a small daycare facility as soon as his grandson Joel was born-he finally got his boy. Nora, Harper, and Phoebe only grew his heart more. And watching him become a grandfather has only expanded our hearts toward him. Just last week, Darren decided, for the first time ever, to ignore Joel's bedtime. The two of them cuddled and watched basketball for hours. Joel has not stopped talking about staying up late with Pops.

We have been floored by the countless stories of Darren's impact that we didn't even know-how he helped families, paid tuitions, provided groceries, and was so many people's bonus dad. He was everyone's first call. He was generous with his time and energy-all without expecting anything in return. He solved problems that weren't his to solve (he always "knew a guy"). He made time for the person in front of him and saw people through Jesus' eyes. He was the definition of a servant leader and would often be seen sweeping the gym floor or driving the bus. He opened his home and heart to students and coaches who were far from home (we laughed remembering all of the people who lived with us or joined us for the holidays). And the thing that would matter most to him-countless people were introduced to Jesus because of his unwavering faith, gracious love, and dogged persistence.

Looking back on Darren's last few weeks, he was able to do everything he loved: he walked a daughter down the aisle, saw all of the extended family celebrate together, watched his CIU teams win big games, cooked an incredible Italian and American Thanksgiving meal, hosted people who had nowhere else to celebrate, watched the Broncos and Nuggets win, and spent time with his grandkids. If you would have asked Darren how he'd want to spend his last few weeks on this side of Heaven, I'm sure that's what he'd say he wanted to do.

Because of our dad's brave decision to be an organ donor, other families will receive their miracles. We aren't surprised that a man whose life was marked by such selfless generosity will continue to impact the lives of others. May we be encouraged to live and love like Darren because Darren lived and loved like Christ.

We are broken hearted. But we grieve with hope, trusting that our dad is in the arms of Jesus, knowing that he heard the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Darren is survived by his wife of 34 years, Claire (Schultheis) Richie, his five girls and four son-in-laws: Jessica and Christian Bale (Wilmington, DE), Nicole and Mark McMahon (Columbia, SC), Cassidy and Michael Reuter (Denver, CO), Lindsey and Nolan Holmes (Denver, CO), and Jordan Richie (Columbia, SC), his great pride and joy-four grandchildren: Joel (3 years), Nora (1 year), Harper (1 year), and Phoebe (4 months), his mother, Helen Richie, and his siblings and nieces and nephews: Cheryl and Dean Shvarko, Jeffrey and Laurel Richie (Andrew, David, Joseph, Douglas, and Alyssa), Brian and Mariah Richie (Connor, Addison, and Bella), and Christina and Michael Sellari (Mateo and Christano).

He was preceded in death by his father, Araldo Richie, his in-laws, Robert and Patricia Schultheis, his brother, Ronnie Richie, his sisters-in-law, Lori Richie and Wendy Richie, and the dog he said he never wanted (but secretly adored) Aida Elle.

We invite you to join us to honor his memory and legacy in either South Carolina or Colorado:

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA on Thursday, December 7th at 4pm at Columbia International University Chapel

DENVER, COLORADO on Saturday, December 16th at 4pm at D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School

In lieu of flowers, we will continue Darren's legacy through a foundation in his name that works to support sending student-athletes to serve the world through sports ministry. Join us: http://bit.ly/darrenslegacy