Darren Bradley Thompson's Obituary
Darren Bradley Thompson was born in San Diego, CA on June 27, 1977. He was the only son born to Terri Renne Floyd and Theodore Thompson.
As an only child, Darren was quiet and a loner but he did enjoy time spent playing with transformers and his cousins, Aunts and Uncles.. He also loved animation and learning the alphabet. His mother recognized his genius at an early age. Darren was very detail oriented and well versed. He enjoyed reading, bowling, video games and going to the gym, something he enjoyed his entire life.
Darren and his mother Terri would move several times throughout his youth, first to Edgewater Park, NJ then Okinawa, Japan and later to Los Angeles, CA before settling back in San Diego, CA. They had a lot of adventures on the back of her motorcycle over the years and were constant companions when he was younger. She enjoyed spoiling him with gifts and as an adult, he would do the same for those he loved. During his teenage years, Darren took after his mother and developed into a very good tennis player. He also inherited her sense of humor and strong work ethic as well. Darren would go on to develop his own brand of savvy and curated his grandmother Peggy’s sense of style and taste for the finer things in life.
Darren attended Valencia Park Elementary School and O’Farrell Jr. High School. He completed his formal education at Morse Senior High School in San Diego, CA. Darren was driven and was always embracing opportunities to learn more and better himself. In 1997, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, successfully completed boot camp and graduated from Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL. After an Honorable Discharge, Darren worked with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department as a Dispatcher. Pursuing his passions of fashion, hair, and everything stylish, Darren enrolled in and graduated from Bay Vista Cosmetology School. He became a licensed Cosmetologist and was dedicated to his small clientele at Dream Hair Design for many years. Darren loved taking care of people and making them feel special ~ it truly was one of his greatest gifts, and he was extraordinary at it! After six years as a Sales Account Executive with Sierra Security Mortgage, Darren started a career at AT&T as a Customer Service Sales Representative. Much like his other positions, this was a perfect fit for him because Darren was an excellent communicator! He loved to talk and more importantly he had a way of talking to people and connecting with them that made everyone feel valued and heard. He would move on to be a respected member of their Customer Relations Management group and an active member of the Communication Workers of America Local Union 9509 until his passing.
Darren was baptized as a child at San Diego’s historic Jackson Memorial Church, which is now the Fountain of Youth Church in San Diego. Throughout his adult life he remained a believer and would attend worship services at several area Churches with his close friends. He was a positive soul with an infectious smile and encouraging spirit who always showed people, especially those he held dear, how much he loved them. He.
Darren loved his community and all the positive things it represented. He curated a beautiful village of dear friends who he fiercely protected, and he was always so proud of their every success. He was the best supporter anyone could ever have. He was beloved and enjoyed a life filled with high end fashion, travel, and laughs. He was quick witted and would often leave you with a smile and made you laugh uncontrollably. Darren was very strong, opinionated and true to his beliefs all while quietly wanting nothing more than to have his happily ever after. To know Darren was to love him just as he was. He had a heart of gold and would always show up for those he loved, often bearing lavish gifts for those he held closest. He loved the finer things in life and wanted to share them. Darren touched so many with his kind heart and picturesque smile. He donated to and supported local causes often. He believed in giving back and had a beautiful charitable spirit.
Darren enjoyed being with people he loved and who loved him, especially in festive environments and special times of the year. He embraced every part of the experience too~ from getting ready to enjoying the music and libations, any occasion to be together made him happy. He wasn’t just handsome; he was a beautiful soul who was loved and will be missed by many, especially his Dear Mother, family members, and friends who were like his family.
He was preceded in death by his beloved maternal grandmother Peggy Bates; great grandmother Ernestine (David) Lamar; paternal grandfather David Goldston and maternal grandfather George Emmons Sr.
He leaves to cherish his memory and mourn his passing, his mother, Terri Renee Tazwell; his father, Theodore Thompson; paternal grandmother, Dorothy Goldstein; sister, Candice Thompson; Aunt, Tammi Michelle Carter; Uncles: Darren Scales, Ronald Thompson, George Emmons, James Thompson and Bennie Louis (Niecy) Carter all of San Diego, CA. Also, to mourn his passing are his Godparents Rev. Jay and Dorothy Blake of Los Angeles, CA and the extended family of his late Aunt and Uncle Frances N. and Theodore W. Barnett.
Darren also leaves behind his oldest friend Cleo Shivers Jr. and his cherished village: Stacey Lamont Hodge, Desmond C. Fields, Alex Maybury and David Barajas all of San Diego, CA; Nigel Breakfield and Travis Brandy both of Los Angeles, CA and two women he treasured: Telsha Edenburgh of Marietta, CA, and Tracie Johnson-Hathorn, currently residing in Washington, DC. Darren had a host of cousins, extended family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors who he cared for dearly as well. He touched each of their lives in unbelievably special ways.
What’s your fondest memory of Darren?
What’s a lesson you learned from Darren?
Share a story where Darren's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Darren you’ll never forget.
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