Christopher "Chris" Timmins

Christopher Douglas Timmins, 56, a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on February 25, 2026, at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah.

As Chris once described himself, he “always danced to the beat of my own drum… literally.” Music was a central pillar of his life. A talented percussionist and guitarist, he lent his rhythm to a wide variety of bands, playing everything from funk, rock, and hippie jam bands to straight-up jazz ensembles.  He was a lifelong devotee of the Grateful Dead. 

A world traveler from a young age, Chris was born in Dallas and lived in Denver, London, New Orleans, and Connecticut with his family. After graduating from Staples High School in Connecticut, he attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and Evergreen College in Olympia, Washington, earning degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Creative Writing. His adventurous spirit then took him to San Francisco; Talent and Ashland, Oregon; and Jackson, Mississippi, before he finally put down roots in Salt Lake City.

While living in Jackson, Chris discovered yoga—a practice that profoundly shaped his life and allowed him to positively influence the lives of others. He was so taken with what yoga added to his life that he became a yoga instructor and taught in Jackson, MS and Salt Lake City, UT. He loved to merge his passion for music and yoga together, carefully curating playlists for his class to create a unique experience.

Chris’s lifelong interest with Buddhism led him to Southeast Asia, where he traveled through Thailand and Cambodia. Deeply moved by the resilience of the Cambodian people, he volunteered with Aqua Share, a non-profit organization dedicated to building water wells for families without access to clean drinking water. His volunteering turned into a dedication to support Aqua Share for the rest of his life.

Chris is survived by a family who loved him fiercely including his parents, Dotti and Tom Timmins; his brother and sister-in-law, David Timmins and Dawn Estes, and their children, Grayson and Katy; and his sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and John Martin, and their children, Jack and Alexandra. In addition, his extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins mourns his premature passing. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Aqua Share in Chris’ memory at www.everydropcounts.us