It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Darrell David Olthuis on March 29, 2025, at the Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, BC.
Darrell was born on July 1, 1959, in Edmonton, AB to parents Gerrit and Susan Olthuis. He was the middle child of three boys. He spent his childhood in Edmonton before moving to Surrey, BC in 1972.
After graduation from high school, Darrell attended Emily Carr Art College in Vancouver, BC. He specialized in animation. He later worked for Electronic Arts (the video game company) for many years. He worked as part of a team developing multiple video games.
Darrell enjoyed history, music, movies, drawing and painting. He was a talented artist and an independent thinker. He was an eccentric person who was knowledgable on a wide range of topics. He always had an opinion and freely shared his thoughts with all.
Darrell faced many health challenges during the last few years of his life. In spite of this, he had a positive attitude and remained in good spirits.
Darrell will be lovingly remembered by his brother Jeff, his brother Ken (Kathryn); his nephew Michael, his niece Nicole (Brenden) and is grandniece, Emme.
Thank you to A Simple Cremation for their support and care.
A private Memorial Service for Darrell will be held at a later date.
December 7th, 2025
I worked with Darrel at DSI, and later EAC. He did some art for an Ad I was running that I still enjoy today. We was kind, bright, funny, and talented.
May 22nd, 2025
I met Darrell in 1984 at art school. He was my first friend there. We enjoyed many good times through the years. His health issues over the more recent years were hard for him. He did maintained a positive attitude though. He had a wealth of knowledge about many subjects and was ready to debate his opinions and battle the so called truths in front of him. He will be missed for that, as well as his sense of humor and love of life.
May 7th, 2025
Darrell and I shared a converted 2 bedroom apartment in Kitsilano after attending art school in the late 80s. We both had an interest in animation, art, music, car design, basic cooking (he taught me the right way to make rice) and cycling (he often laughed at my home made bike attachments).
Some recollections are of...
-us both cheering on the 1988 Summer Olympics Canadian team (seen on his old TV).
-him introducing me to old black and white movies.
-our excitement on seeing a1970s De Tomaso Pantera sports car in the parking lot next door.
-riding in his cool retro pickup truck.
-cycling in the snow one winter night.
I thought of Darrell as a talented, knowledgeable, opinionated, quick to laugh, extremely kind and giving person. HIs passing comes as a great shock but the memory of his smile and hearty laugh will live with me always. You are missed Darrell.
Much love, Karl
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