Stuart Kristiansen Obituary (1990 - 2023)

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring Stuart Oliver Kristiansen born January 29, 1990, in Pomona California to Jennifer Starks and Harold Kristiansen, passed on May 17, 2023, due to an unexpected heart condition. Stuart spent the first seven years of his life living with his family in Pomona, California building relationships with his grandparents, Beth and George Ynclan, his aunts, uncles and cousins. Stuart and his family relocated to Utah in 1997 where he grew up close with his siblings, Spencer, Olivia and Chelsea. He established strong lifelong friendships that quickly became much like family to him and built an admirable career with Maverik. Jennifer calls Stuart her “Happy Boy”, a nickname he earned as a young boy from his lighthearted personality. He would skip everywhere, even if it was just to the restroom. He found joy in simple things like Batman, Lord of the Rings and his twice weekly dose of nachos. Stuart took his nickname Happy Boy to heart, using it to guide his life choices. He led life with optimism and his heart first. Stuart truly was one that left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Stuart had an old soul, salt of the earth. He had a way of taking dark times and making them seem small, simply by making inappropriate jokes at inappropriate times. He genuinely just wanted to make people smile and laugh. Stuart had a talent for strategic dark humor, making tactless seem eloquently placed and acceptable. In his free time, Stuart enjoyed socializing and building connections with his friends and family. He loved playing video games, watching movies and educating himself. Stuart lived each moment with intention and purpose, experiencing every vacation, concert and each day for all the greatness they had to offer. He had dreams of traveling the world, making it to the Maldives in 2021 and traveling much of the U.S. in the last five years. In 2018, Stuart reconnected with the love of his life, Justine Wright, who he had met as a child in 2001. He became “Dad” to her three daughters, Esther Shae, Elsa Noel, and Elilah Gray. Stuart and Justine were set to marry in July of 2023. Unfortunately, their time was cut short but the love they held for each other helped bring their son Arthur Lewis Kristiansen into our lives. Through Arthur, Stuart’s “Happy Boy” legacy carries on. Stuart worked hard to provide for his family and took pride in his role as a father and partner, using his dad, Donovan Starks as a shining example of what a father can be. Every day, Stuart's example reminded us that he wanted nothing but the best for his family. Stuart taught his family patience, kindness, and diligence. He left them with all the best pieces of himself, teaching them that even when life gets you down there is always a silver lining and better things ahead. Losing someone as exceptional as Stuart Kristiansen is never easy, but this is a beautiful example of how fragile life can be. Stuart would want us to exemplify his legacy, adapt it to our lives and lead each day with love and kindness as our intention. Stuart always chose to see the best in everyone and everything. When he was sixteen, he helped pick the family’s dog. Stuart chose a lowly, slow witted and dirty labradoodle puppy named Cosmo, who grew to become the family’s best friend. Stuart always had love in his heart for those who needed extra help. He would often say, “When you put people first, success will follow.” There is no doubt that this is the motto Stuart lived by. Although it was cut much too short and more time could have been spent loving Stuart, he genuinely lived a full and beautiful life. Stuart Oliver Kristiansen is survived by his love, Justine Wright, his children, Esther Shae Fernandez, Elsa Noel Fernandez, Elilah Gray Fernandez and Arthur Lewis Kristiansen. Stuart is also survived by his grandfather George Ynclan, his parents Jennifer and Donovan Starks, his sisters Olivia and Chelsea Kristiansen and his brother Spencer Kristiansen. Stuart was preceded in death by his grandmother Beth Ynclan and his birth father Harold Kristiansen but is also survived by his half-brother Harold Kristiansen Junior and his half-sister Katie Boden. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 19, 2023 at Sleepy Ridge from 3 - 8 pm, 730 S. Sleepy Ridge Dr, Orem, UT. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.