Darnel L Haney

Ogden — Darnel L Haney, 88, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, in Farmington, Utah, surrounded by his family.

Darnel was born on February 6, 1937, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Walker Lee and Pearlie Marie Johnson Haney.

He graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1956, where he was one of 26 Black students to help integrate the school’s 2,000-member student body. A gifted athlete, he was named to the All-State and All-American basketball teams his senior year and earned a place on the All-State football first team. His 1956 basketball team is honored in the National High School Hall of Fame.

He served in the United States Coast Guard from 1957 to 1959, during which time he played with the All-Navy and All-Service basketball teams and was invited to the AAU Tournament for the Pan-American Trials. There, he was identified as a star player and recruited to play basketball and football for the Utah State University Aggies. He was part of the 1962 basketball team that won the conference title and competed in the Western Regional Playoffs.

While at Utah State University, Darnel met the love of his life, Marie Packer of North Logan. On November 24, 1962, Darnel and Marie married in Oakland, California. Together, they shared more than 60 years of love and partnership—boldly breaking interracial barriers with courage and devotion.

He was drafted as a defensive end by the Oakland Raiders in 1963 and remained with the team until 1964.

Darnel earned his bachelor’s degree from USU in 1965 and a master’s degree in 1973. At USU, he played both varsity basketball and football.

He devoted his professional life to education and community service. He worked for the Oakland Recreation Department and as a substitute teacher in Alameda County, California. In 1965, he began work as a counselor at the newly established Pleasanton Job Corps Center before transferring to Clearfield, Utah, in 1966. From 1966 to 1971, he served as a counselor and supervisor. He later became the Associate Dean of Student Affairs at Weber State University (1971 to 1987) and Director of Student Life and Counseling at Lorain County Community College in Ohio (1987).

Throughout his career, Darnel also conducted training sessions on race relations for schools, police departments, highway patrol units, and the U.S. Forest Service. He worked for the Utah Juvenile Detention Center in Observation and Assessment and remained a committed mentor and advocate for youth and marginalized communities.

Darnel was deeply involved in church and civic life. He founded and directed The Black Performing Arts of Utah and served on the Governor's Black Advisory Council, the Utah Endowment for the Arts Board, and the Self-Development of People Committee of the First Presbyterian Church of Ogden. He was also active with the Lake Bonneville Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Weber State University Diversity Center Advisory Board, and the Weber County Sheriff’s Citizens’ Review Board. He chaired the Weber County Senior Citizens Division of Aging and was appointed by Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. to the State Board of Directors for the Division of Aging.

In retirement, Darnel discovered a new passion for painting and sculpting, launching a small business he named African Soil. He enjoyed sharing his art at local farmers’ markets, restaurants, and shops along Ogden’s Historic 25th Street. His work soon became part of the community’s fabric—murals and paintings displayed everywhere from rodeo grounds to neighborhood eateries—earning him recognition as a Utah artist of note.

Darnel is survived by his children, Norman (Melanie), Keith (Laura), and Raven (Lawrence Hay and his children); grandchildren, Brittany and Roman (Brittany), Khaiden (Addie) and Vincent; great-grandchildren, LillyAnna and Payton, Darius and Mia; and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marie; and all of his sisters and brothers.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., with military honors provided by the Brigham City Honor Guard VFW 1695. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment will follow at the Ogden City Cemetery.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the many individuals who provided compassionate and loving support to Darnel throughout his life.

Services will be live-streamed and available the day of the services by scrolling to the bottom of Darnel’s obituary page at: www.lindquistmortuary.com where condolences may also be shared.