Jared McGrath

On Sunday, December 3, 2023, we lost a piece of us. Our Son, Dad, brother and friend passed away at 45.  He was born on February 12th, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the third child of Jerry McGrath and Dianna (Lochrie) Henson, with his older siblings, Jason and Britt, waiting to love him and excited to have someone new to tease.

Jared attended Brighton High School and played many sports throughout his years there. Soccer and football were among his favorites. His childhood was spent with summers in Lake Powell and fishing at Strawberry Reservoir.  He always had a rod in his hand and caught more fish than you could imagine.  He was that cute little boy with towhead hair and the biggest smile on his face. He was the shy, quiet one that loved to cuddle.  He had so many friends that he spent many Spring break trips with going to Lake Havasu and Cancun. Also, parties at friends' houses whenever their parents were out of town but he knew to always “Be home in time for dinner!” He was a loyal Green Bay Packers fan and never missed watching a game. We also need to mention his loyal dog Kano, whom he loved so much.

He held the love he had for his family very close to his heart and would do anything for the people he loved. He lived life everyday like it was his last. He always knew how to have a good time. If anyone asked him “Do you make bad choices?” he would respond with “Depends on who you are talking to.”  A friend once said, “Jared was a unique soul, so full of life and charisma. The world would just disappear around you when he smiled.  His laugh and energy were infectious”.  

Later in life, Jared met Jennifer Calton and they had a beautiful baby boy, their Gomer George Kayden McGrath.  Kayden was his world. His biggest regret would be that he didn’t have enough time with him. We know with every milestone Kayden takes in his life his dad will be right there by his side every step of the way. Kayden also just welcomed his baby girl, Oakleigh, into the world as Jared’s granddaughter. When Jared held her she looked at him with great big eyes (probably because he was as bald as she is.)  Jen mentioned that Jared knew how to love, and how to speak every language of it. He tried to show that until the day he took his last breath, even if it seemed like a battle, he always had that warm sense of undeniable love. Jared was always intimidatingly intelligent, read thousands of books about how the human brain works, and loved to study psychology and philosophy. You could just see his eyes light up when he talked about it. In his last years, Jared wanted to make amends for the mistakes he knew he'd made.  He knew that his beautiful Mother, Dianna, devoted everything to keeping him safe. Nobody supported Jared like his mom did, she never gave up hope.  

Jared understood the importance of life and wanted to be a good person and a better father to Kayden. Everybody has their own opinion on addiction. There are some fortunate people that beat it.  Two out of three families are affected by the disease of addiction.  It does not discriminate.  Most are good people, who make bad choices.  Battling addiction is a beast for the person addicted and for the ones who love them.   Jared had completed many programs to help fight these demons.  He recently said, “No one wants to be an addict…it’s a horrible way to live.” Jared was so much more than his disease, it was just bigger than he was.

Jared leaves behind a broken hearted family that will miss and celebrate him and his light everyday. We know he was welcomed into the afterlife with open arms by his late brother, Jason, and father, Jerry, which we know all had “one Hell of a reunion.”

Rest in paradise Jared “Lucky” McGrath. Your love, light and intelligence will shine bright forever. Fly free and be happy. Stay close and let your family feel the wind from your wings. Send us signs to know you are nearby.

There will be a celebration of life for Jared on Wednesday, December 20, from 4-6 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Millcreek, UT 84106. Guests are encouraged to use parking and entrance located on the north side of the building.