Lopeti Jared Aagard was born August 7, 1996 and left way too early and suddenly on August 25, 2021 following a tragic auto-pedestrian accident. He was born to parents Mitchell and Teuila Kalesita Tua’one Aagard in West Valley City, Utah.

Jared was a quiet and shy boy, but as he grew into a man, he was loved, respected and admired by many people. He was tall and skinny, handsome and intelligent, kind and stubborn. He was charitable to a fault, often giving up what he needed to others he felt compassion for. Jared troubled over the underdog, starting conversations with the lonely, digging in his pocket to hand off a few bucks, sharing from his pantry. As a teenager, his family would occasionally find a stranger sleeping on their couch, some out-of-luck guest who had nowhere else to go. He never judged, except through the lens of empathy.

Jared graduated early from high school and began attending Salt Lake Community College when he was just 16. There, he served in student body leadership. But, he was best as an autodidact, which allowed him to pursue his wide-ranging interests. Whatever interested him, he chased. He became an expert at building and programming computers, animation, art, game development, gardening, vegan cooking, biking, and more. When his passion was sparked, he became single-minded, like the time he and Metui worked all summer to build a music studio to grind out their rap album.

In 2017, his life changed forever when he was severely injured in an auto accident in Phoenix. This obituary would have been written then, except that his accident was 300 yards from the Abrazo West Trauma Center. His amazing doctors patched him, added metal plates and screws and titanium rods, operating on him many times. He woke from his coma to share four more years with us. His body healed, but his mind remained uneasy.

Jared is survived by his parents and siblings, Tupou, Lebone, Loleni, Joey, Max, and Rachell Mele. Grandparents: Ilaisaane Mafi Tua’one of Utah, and Robert Lee and Alice Jorgensen Aagard of Wyoming. Many uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. Jared is preceded in death by his grandfather, Metuisela Tua’one.

Celebration of Life will be held Monday, August 30, 2021 at the Lone Peak Indoor Pavilion, 10140 S 700 E, Sandy, Utah beginning at noon. Inurnment will follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens, Garden of the Last Supper, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT at 2 pm. Services will be broadcast for those unable to attend.

Due to the COVID pandemic, please follow guidelines of masking, social distancing, and staying home if you have been recently exposed or are ill.