Brian Richard Daems, 57, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 6, 2024, in the skies over Vero Beach, Florida. His uncle, friend, and mentor Randy Opat was the first responder on the scene, kissed him goodbye, and prayed for his soul along with other pilots who witnessed the accident.
Brian was born on August 6, 1967, in Provo, Utah, to Richard and Linon Daems. He grew up in a fun and lively family of five siblings. He and his dad and brothers, Kurt, Jeff, Randy, and Eric, enjoyed many outdoor adventures together – river rafting trips, skiing in the beautiful mountains of Utah, camping as Scouts, mountain biking, and hiking. His mom diligently and patiently taught Brian how to oil paint, cook, organize, and be a gentleman. He attended Davis High school where he was active in Scouting and the Order of the Arrow. Through scouting, faith, and his family, Brian cultivated life-long character traits such as hard work, dedication, service, and loyalty. In high school, he achieved his Eagle Scout award and served as the OA Lodge Chief.
After graduation, he attended Ricks College for one year before serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Washington D.C. – South mission. Upon returning home, he attended Utah State University and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Flight Technology. His love of flying developed early in life when he watched the airplanes take off from Chicago O’hare airport while visiting his Grandma and Grandpa Opat. In college, he began his formal pilot training earning his needed ratings and certifications to launch his flying career.
He met his wife, Lisa, in the fall of 1992 at Utah State University from which they both graduated. They were married in the Logan Utah Temple on March 12, 1994. They were blessed with their first daughter, Lindsey Emma, in 1999 while living in San Luis Obispo, California, where Brian flew for Skywest Airlines. The family enjoyed spending time at the beach, at local parks, and enjoying the coastline. In 2001, they moved to Lewisville, Texas, where Brian flew for Delta Airlines. After 9-11, he began his career in corporate aviation. They were blessed with their second daughter, Abigail Marie, in 2003. Texas was a wonderful home for the family where they had many close friends and treasured memories.
Brian began his career with Leucadia Aviation in 2005 and the family moved to Layton, Utah. He loved being closer to extended family and the outdoor opportunities Utah provided, particularly hiking their local Adam’s Canyon, skiing at nearby resorts, and going on river rafting trips with his brothers. In 2007, they were blessed with their son, Matthew Brian, who nicely balanced out his princess sisters with his romping and wrestling. The Daems have called Pennsylvania home since 2013.
Brian flew for Leucadia Aviation for almost 20 years, with half of that time as Chief Pilot. He loved flying around the world with those in his beloved flight department. Always the adventurer, Brian was never one to sit in his hotel room on a trip. He gathered together anyone willing to come with him and set out to explore the mountains, oceans, deserts, and historical sites of the world. He has flown to all six inhabited continents, 48 states, 40+ countries, and has clocked over 13,300 hours in the air. He has earned ATP – AMEL, GV, G1159, EMB-120, Flight Engineer – Turbojet, ASEL, ASES, CFI, seaplane, and glider ratings and certificates. His most enjoyable recent rating was in glider planes as he loved the peaceful quiet of the skies and the challenge of finding the thermals. He received his Silver Soaring badge and was working toward his Gold.
When he wasn’t flying, spending time with his family, high adventuring, reading, and serving others occupied his time. He loved taking people for rides in his single-engine Maule airplane and the glider. He enjoyed mountain biking at Jacobsburg, Nockamixon, and Trexler with friends and neighbors. Hitting the local, national, and international ski slopes with Matthew and friends was his wintertime joy. And reading historical and classic books was his favorite pastime in his quest to be a life-long learner and always expand his mind. He and Lisa enjoyed celebrating 30 years of marriage with a trip to Venice and the Dolomites this past August—a trip that will now be even more cherished and remembered.
Brian’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ fueled his charity and service for others. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served and loved those around him in various ways at the ward and stake levels. His unassuming, quiet ministering touched the lives of so many. Truly he emulated the Savior as he visited the elderly, hiked and camped with the youth, ministered to the sick, hugged a sad child (and gave them a piece of candy), counseled with those who were grieving, and left in his wake so many small acts of kindness that are impossible to count.
Brian had four great loves in his life—faith, family, flying, and friends. Though the enormous impact of his unexpected passing has been felt so deeply and painfully, he died doing what he absolutely loved to do. Soar high, beloved, soar high.
Brian is survived by his wife, Lisa; their three children and one son-in-law: Lindsey (Daniel) Reid of Ithaca, NY; Abigial Daems of Laie, HI; and Matthew Daems; his parents, Rich and Linon Daems of Kaysville, UT; his four brothers: Kurt Daems of North Salt Lake City, UT; Jeff (Heather) Daems of Santaquin, UT; Randy (Ardene) Daems of Saratoga Springs, UT; Eric “Rico” (Whitney) Daems of South Ogden, UT; and his uncle, Randall Opat of Port St. Lucie, FL.
Lisa and the children would like to publicly thank the extended family, church members, Nazareth community, and friends near and far for the countless prayers, well-wishes, flowers, meals, condolences, and kind acts that have flooded them since the moment of Brian’s passing. They express regret to have not been able to personally respond yet to all of these kindnesses, but please know they have been seen and greatly appreciated.
Nazareth Pennsylvania Memorial Services:
Saturday, December 14th
Visitation: 10:00 - 11:45 am
Memorial Service: 12:00 - 1:00 pm
A light luncheon will be served after the memorial service for family and any close friends.
All proceedings will take place at: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 138 Rose Inn Ave, Nazareth, PA 18064
A virtual broadcast of Brian's Memorial Service in Pennsylvania can be viewed via Zoom at: CLICK HERE TO WATCH SERVICE VIA ZOOM
Note there will not be a casket or interment at the Nazareth memorial.
Logan Utah Memorial Services:
Saturday, December 21st
Visitation: 11:30-12:30 pm
Memorial Service: 1:00 - 2:00 pm
All proceedings will take place at: White Pine Funeral Home, 753 South 100 East, Logan, UT 84321
A virtual broadcast of Brian's Memorial Service in Utah can be viewed via Zoom at: CLICK HERE TO WATCH SERVICE VIA ZOOM
Graveside dedication immediately following the memorial service at the Logan City Cemetery.
Condolences and Contributions
We invite you to post photos and memories of Brian on:
https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/Ns2LYvLL
Flowers and condolences for the Nazareth, PA, memorial can be sent to the Daems residence at 206 Lucas Lane, Nazareth, PA 18064.
Flowers and condolences for the Logan, UT, memorial can be sent to the family through the White Pine Funeral Home.
Charitable Contributions to the Family can be made through GoFundMe:
Donate to Support Brian Daems' Family in Their Time of Loss, organized by Pam Apollo
Charitable contributions can also be made on Brian’s behalf to the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, a park where he loved to ride, walk, and hike with his family and friends.
Make checks payable to: PPFF – Jacobsburg (Pennsylvania Parks/Forest Foundation)
Please notate contributions on the check in memory of “the unofficial trail maintenance man.”
Mail donations to:
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
400 Belfast Rd, Nazareth, PA 18064
Saturday, December 14, 2024
10:00 - 11:45 am (Eastern time)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Starts at 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Saturday, December 21, 2024
11:30am - 12:30 pm (Mountain time)
White Pine Funeral Services
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Starts at 1:00 pm (Mountain time)
White Pine Funeral Services
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