Koby Hackett

Koby Michael Hackett of Provo, Utah, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 24, 2022, of causes as yet undetermined. Among his many family members and friends, he was a true original—a lively and charismatic son, grandson, brother, nephew, and friend who delighted others with his creativity, laughter, and excitement. While the loss of his fun loving demeanor will be deeply missed, his loved ones will forever cherish the memory of his contagious smile and good nature.

Koby was born on October 17, 1998, in Roosevelt, Utah, to Kristen Hackett and Brandon Sturm, and spent his early childhood in Duchesne and Utah Valley areas before his mother married Chad Shelley in 2006. His outgoing personality was evident early on, with a zest for life and an uncommon ambition. He thought up projects like an entrepreneur, enlisted friends and family in his adventures, and dreamed big. A lifelong passion for basketball developed into real skill in his youth, and he never let a family gathering or outing with friends go without starting up a game.

During his middle childhood, Koby welcomed younger siblings and soon lived abroad as his family moved to Italy and Oman on foreign service assignments of the United States Department of State. While in Rome, he made perfect attendance in his seminary class of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and played basketball for the Villa Flaminia city league and was awarded Most Valuable Player on his team. At the American Overseas School of Rome, he was loved by all his teachers and achieved nearly perfect marks in his classes. In Oman, he attended school at the American International School of Muscat where he placed high honors academically and played on its basketball and volleyball teams. Upon returning to the United States, he attended high schools in Saratoga Springs, Highland, and Provo, and graduated in 2017.

Koby was an athletic phenom who took naturally to every sport he attempted and was known among relatives, roommates, and community members for his sports savvy and competitive spirit. Among his peers, he excelled. In 2015, he led a team to win the Jimmer Fredette “Jimmerosity” three-on-three basketball tournament in Provo. For the rest of his life, he continued getting up games with cousins wherever they could, occasionally challenging other squads and often successfully defending their on-court reputation. He passionately followed the victories and travails of his favorite teams, most especially the Utah Jazz and BYU Cougars.

In recent years, Koby spoke openly and vulnerably about his effort to recover from drug use and endeavored against periods of distress to share how this affliction affected him and others. Throughout his ordeal, he offered hope and encouragement to others in treatment. When his Hackett grandparents passed away the previous December, Koby expressed his deep love for them, saying how he hoped one day to be reunited with them. His loved ones feel grief that he has joined them so soon, but feel solace knowing he returns to the loving arms of his “grams and gramps.” Koby was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ron and Linda Hackett. He is survived by his mother and stepfather Kristen and Chad Shelley; father and stepmother Brandon and Amy Sturm; siblings Kloden Shelley, Paisli Shelley, Kruz Shelley, Johnny Jenkins, and Gracie Jenkins; and grandparents Marie and Gary Shelley, Tawnya Gallup, and Mark and Bobbi Jo Gallup.

Viewings will be held Friday, March 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem, Utah, and Saturday, March 5, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the LDS Meetinghouse at 2876 West 1390 North, Provo, Utah. Funeral services will be held at the same LDS Meetinghouse on Saturday, March 5, at 11:00 a.m. followed by a graveside ceremony at the Provo City Cemetery, he will be buried next to his Grams and Gramps Hackett.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.

For those unable to attend, you may view the services by clicking HERE

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