Derek James Mortensen

Derek James Mortensen beloved father, son, brother, and friend passed away on February 13, 2025, at the age of 48, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Born in Provo, Utah, on May 24, 1976, Derek was the oldest of four siblings, one sister and two brothers. Growing up in Kearns, he attended Thomas Jefferson Jr. High where he played both the violin and trumpet and later graduated from Kearns High.

Derek's love for adventure started early. He spent countless hours at Airport #2 fueling planes and then promptly leaping out of them. Aviation was just one of his many obsessions, and if it had wings, rotors, or a giant balloon attached to it, Derek probably tried to fly it. Knowing him, he's already found a way to turn the pearly gates into a makeshift skydiving platform.

His career path was a winding road filled with odd jobs and wild stories. He washed dishes at Wagon Master, DJ'd at 49th Street Galleria and served up mediocre steaks at Applebee's. He dabbled in marble installation and house framing before discovering his true calling, wildland firefighting. Derek traveled the dusty dirty parts of the US while wielding a chainsaw as a Lone Peak Hotshot, then worked for the National Park Service in Zion, after which he was able to land a job with Bureau of Land Management where he ran an engine in Price and Vernon, and eventually worked as the assistant manager of the S.E.A.T. (Single Engine Air Tanker ) base at Tooele Valley Airport. Derek fought flames with the same enthusiasm he brought to everything else in life.

Derek had a soft spot for animals and cared for pigeons, parakeets, ducks, rabbits, a hermit crab, and his weiner dog, Valley. In his 40s, just when people thought they had him figured out, he decided to take up knitting-because why buy socks when you can make them yourself? He strolled into a knitting shop, asked for lessons from the ladies, and walked out with needles, yarn, and zero shame.

Derek was truly unique, had a quick witted humor, was a little rough around the edges and loved by all who had the pleasure to get to know him. A man of many passions, Derek found joy in gardening, beekeeping, cooking, making sausage, brewing beer, and hydroponic herb-growing. He loved skydiving, paragliding, and flying anything that could get airborne-including small planes and his hot air balloons, BFF and Pickle Rick.

Derek made a successful business with his balloons. People were able to skydive, propose marriage, and experience special birthday rides. The man lived for the skies, and if he wasn't floating above us, he was probably planning his next ascent.

Despite all his wild endeavors, Derek's greatest adventure was fatherhood. He welcomed his daughter Missy with Amy Miller in 2002, and in 2010, he married Tami Plant, with whom he had two children, Olivia in 2012 and Max in 2017.

Derek was preceded in death by his ex-wife, Tami Plant. He is survived by his parents, Linda Washburn (Danny) and Loren Mortensen (Paula); his siblings, Rebecca White (Hans), Matthew Mortensen (Kasandra), and Preston Mortensen (Meisja); and his much-loved children, Missy, Olivia, and Max Mortensen.

A tribute to Derek will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the LDS chapel at 975 N 60 E, American Fork, UT 84003, with a viewing at 9:45 AM and the service at 11:00 AM.

In true Derek fashion, "we'll light this up" with a cremation. His ashes will be spread in the spring, carried on the wind, just as he always loved.

Fly high, Derek. We'll catch you on the next updraft.

To join our services for Derek please click the link below: 

https://youtube.com/live/1DyVdK5GXF4?feature=share