To the family, friends and co-workers of Darren Coffey

[Wrightwood]

"One of the benefits of living in a small community is that we tend to know everyone.  When tragedy strikes, that intimate knowledge makes the chances of being affected in one way or another much greater.  Events like last night touch all of us.  We will offer these two threads for each of you to share your thoughts of Mike and Darren and let their families and friends know that our thoughts and prayers are with them."

[WWMtnGal]

Words can not express the sorrow that we feel in the passing of Darren.  Darren was one of the nicest young men you could ever have the pleasure of meeting.  We worked together while he was going to college and the time we spent together will stay with me forever.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Darren.  He will be deeply missed by all of those who had the pleasure of meeting and knowing him.

The Schmidt's

[rcritter]

Darren was so SWEET, sincere, kind, caring, and gentle.  He was always smiling.  My heart goes out to the Coffey family.  You are all in our prayers.  Friends will be gathering at the Yodeler tonight around 7pm. Family and Friends welcomed.

[Nolena]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Words can't do enough.
I wish you comfort and healing, and am praying for all family and friends.
Please let us know where to send cards.

[mokandi]

Although I did not know Daren, my heart and prayers go out to his family and friends.  I do know Darren's young niece and nephew and this must be a very difficult time for them.  They live up here in Wrightwood. This was a horrible accident and we had all been praying for a better outcome.  May the Lord take good care of Darren.

[dragongirl]

So sorry for your loss.  Our prayers are there for you and your family.
The Forsythes

[biker bunny]

We are so sorry for your loss our prayers and thoughts are with you.

The Goreys

[trenditikes]

To the Coffey Family

Words, however kind, can't mend your heartache: but those who care and
share your loss wish you comfort and peace of mind. May you find strength
in the love of family and in the warm embrace of friends.

Deepest Sympathy

Sharm , Heather and Girls
The Stiltz Family

[hombrehabilidad]

I am shocked and saddened at the loss of Darren.  I knew him first as a hardworking biology student at CSUSB and later as a hardworking Forest Service employee and occasionally we would meet at the Yodler.  Darren was a good guy and seemed to be happiest when he was enjoying the great outdoors.  I know it is little consolation but at least his last moments were spent doing what he loved the most.  He will be dearly missed.

[ChrisLynnet]

Bless you, bless you in this dark time. I am so sorry for what happened. I found these words and am sharing them with the families of both the young men who were lost:

I borrow these words from J.R.R. Tolkien, who thought of Heaven when he wrote this: "And it seemed to him that as in his dream ... the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise."

Christine Taylor and Alex

[chickipie]

I am very sorry for your loss. This is heart filled sadness for this community. I did not know Darren personally but my heart goes out to your family during this time.

God Bless.
Debbie, Jessica and Jordan Rees

[smart patrol]

To all that knew and loved Darren, I'm very sorry for your loss.

[Lilly]

I am so sad to hear of your loss.  I have fond memories of Darren.  He will be missed.
God Bless.
Betsy

[BabyEagle]

May the Lord bless you and your family & hold you gently in the palm of His hand during this dark time, when no words spoken by others can truly bring the comfort we wish we could give to you.  Even so, our prayers and thoughts are with you all.

[Wrightwood]

The Front Country Ranger District and the San Bernardino National Forest is deeply saddened to report today that our employee, Darren Coffey, passed away early this morning.  Darren was back-country skiing with two friends near the Mountain High Resort, when an avalanche struck at about 1:30 p.m. trapping them beneath the snow.  His two companions were able to surface on their own, while search and rescue efforts for Darren continued throughout the day.  Darren was located at about 9:00 p.m., with vital signs, and was airlifted to the hospital.  His passing was confirmed early this morning.

Darren, age 32, worked as a wildlife biologist on the Front Country District since September 2004, and worked previously as an intern on the Mountaintop District.

Although a wildlife biologist, Darren aspired to be a district botanist and took on many of the district’s botany projects including growing plants in the native plants nursery at Lytle Creek.  He was involved in the big horn sheep project and he also worked closely with law enforcement and Mountaintop District employees in helping to close illegal OHV trails.  Darren also worked on fire suppression rehabilitations, most recently contributing significantly to the Slide and Grass Valley teams.

Darren really cared about the forest and the work he was doing.  He worked well with everyone and always tried to help people.  He also cared a great deal for his community, and volunteered time to work with urban youth programs on the forest in partnership with the San Bernardino National Forest Association and the Bobby G. Vega Foundation.

Darren enjoyed being outside around plants and wildlife.  He was an expert skier, and enjoyed backpacking and hiking.  Darren lived in Wrightwood, where he had many close friends and family in the nearby area.

Darren positively affected so many people, and he will be greatly missed by all.  Please keep his family and many friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  Contact information for family condolences will be forwarded soon.

Gabe Garcia
Front Country District Ranger
San Bernardino National Forest
ggarcia01@fs.fed.us

[AndreaUSFS]

To the Coffey Family,

I've only known him since February of '07. I was new to the Forest Service and he welcomed me and made me feel part of the family. He always had a smile on his face and a sense of humor that lit the room. He always spoke of his outdoor activities, his running, hiking, how he loved to be outside. What I loved about Darren was his ability to make friends with everyone and always was willingness to help his co-workers. He was smart and shared his knowledge with those that would ask of it. We all considered him family and he will be greatly missed.

My family's prayers and thoughts are with his other family and friends and we will always remember how much he cared for others and the outdoors.  Thank you Gabe for writing to the blog and attaching the picture, its perfect.

[PinonMesaJon]

May God be with you through these challenging times. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jon & Candie Koehn

_________________________

The Plan of the Master Weaver

Our lives are but fine weavings that God and we prepare,
Each life becomes a fabric planned and fashioned in His care.
We may not always see just how the weavings intertwine,
But we must trust the Master’s hand and follow His design.
For He can view the pattern upon the upper side,
While we must look from underneath and trust in Him to guide.

Sometimes a strand of sorrow is added to His plan,
And though it’s difficult for us, we still must understand
That it’s He who fills the shuttle, it’s He who knows what’s best,
So we must weave in patience and leave to Him the rest.

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why –
The dark threads are as needed in the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

[TheHills]

Darren was such a great guy. We are so saddened by what has happened. Our prayers go out to your family.

The Hills (Jason, Veronica, Kiera and Kate)

[love_walnuts]

We join those who send you our deepest sympathies and condolences. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers in this time of grief.

Earl and Susan Gately

[Ken]

We have tried to find the words to express our grief but have found none. We only have ears to listen and shoulders to cry on. May God pour his blessings on your family.
Ken and Janet Walter

[lostkiwi]

We would like to offer our deepest sympathies, condolences and blessings to Darren's family, friends and co-workers.
Another shining light taken too soon.
Words cannot express what is felt. Please take some comfort in the support of your community at this sad time.

The Padilla family, (Frank, Susan, Adam and Kristin.)

[ChattyCathy]

My heart aches for those who loved Darren.  Though I did not know him, I feel tremendous sadness that we lost a good man.  You have wonderful support in the community, and I hope this, along with your memories, will help you cope with this loss.  Again, my heart goes out to you.

Cathy Walter

[artology]

Darren was a very sweet guy. I worked with him a couple times on sheep captures. I did not know him well, but I could tell he really cared about what he was doing and had a passion for life, the outdoors, and the living things around him. It's so sad to lose good people. My heart goes out to his friends and family.

[Randy_Striplin]

There are no words that can provide comfort to Darren's loved ones after such an early departure from this life. But there is comfort in knowing that Darren was a happy man and he had a good life, however short. Take comfort knowing that in the act of living his life, he affected those with whom he shared his life in a possitve way. Darren achieved happiness, he always had a possitive attitude, and this intrinsic goodness made any space occupied by Darren a better place than it would have been without him. There can be no better example of a life well lived than this. Therefore, Darren's life was a huge success. He succeeded where many fail. He left the world better off than it was when he entered just by his presence. I know I am a better man for having been his friend.

[Wrightwood]

Darren participating in a bighorn sheep capture Oct 2004.