Todd James Miniter

Todd James Miniter

Todd was born May 24, 1979 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, AZ, and passed away June 11, 2026. He graduated from Saguaro High School in 1998. He was very artistic, excelling at drawing and was considering using these talents when his life was cut short. He loved the outdoors, children, and animals, especially dogs. He enjoyed skateboarding, dirt bike riding, snowboarding, and doing exciting things like sky diving.

His career was varied and included working in the cable television, cabinet building, and home repair businesses. He was outgoing, engaging, and very creative. He played guitar and sang, and at one point had his own band.

Although he lived in the Scottsdale, Tempe, and Queen Creek areas all of his short life, he enjoyed visiting his father in Colorado where he was able to develop his snowboarding and horseback riding skills. He was always fearless and enjoyed challenging the upper slopes of the Rockies and racing down on his snowboard. He loved to ride an Arabian horse named Pride at full gallop, frequently causing anxiety in those observing him.

Among other interactions, he helped with feeding and training three litters of German Shepherd puppies, 30 at the same time, that were two weeks, four weeks, and six weeks old. At the same time, he also helped with feeding and caring for five horses and was referred to as a 'Horse Whisperer' before the movie came out. He always enjoyed animals and always had a dog by his side.

He is survived by his wife Kelly, daughters Jordyn Ahava and Madelyn Ahava, stepson, Aiden Ahava, stepdaughter Marleigh Ahava, father, Michael Miniter, mother Donna Dickinson, stepfather Doug Dickinson, sister Valerie Peery, stepsister Kathy Morgan, and stepbrother Robert Dickinson. He was preceded in death by his stepmother Stormy Zbar.

There will be a celebration of his life on Wednesday, July 15, from 1:00-4:00 at Legacy Funeral Home Chandler: 1374 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, AZ 85225. The family requests plants instead of flowers.