Dr. Darren Wayne Postoak

Dr. Darren Wayne Postoak, 62, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away on November 2, 2025, following a sudden stroke. Darren was born on September 10, 1963, to Virginia Lou Curfman Postoak and Wayne Postoak in Lawrence, Kansas. By the age of 9, the imprint of the man Darren would become was already evident. Even then, he knew he wanted to become a physician and had memorized all 206 bones in the human body. His skills as a teacher and an athlete were equally obvious, as he taught his friends how to throw a football in a perfect spiral. His faith and leadership were shown by his ability to convince college athletes that played for the team his father coached to circle up for a pre-game prayer, even when they were just practicing in his driveway. Darren graduated from Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1981. After attending Haskell Indian Nations University, he earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas. He graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1991. He completed a General Surgery Internship, Residencies in Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, and a Fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology. He was an attending physician at Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans, University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, and UF Health at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He served his patients with compassion and excellence for more than 30 years. He trained many doctors, including more than 75 fellows and hundreds and hundreds of residents. He was known for being a strict teacher, but he was kind, patient and generous with his time with his colleagues. He was admired for his calm presence and grace under pressure. His impact on his patients and the profession of interventional radiology is immeasurable. Darren met his wife of 25 years, Jennifer, in New Orleans during his fellowship years. Together, they built a life grounded in mutual support and respect and sheltered by deep devotion to each other and their three children. Whether going to a beach close to home, traveling many miles to see extended family, or going abroad, Darren loved spending time with his family. His children were the light of his life and he took immense pride in watching them pursue their wide and varied interests, from athletics to the arts and many others. He was equally devoted to his nieces and nephews. In addition to his family, his favorite pastimes were reading and watching sports, especially the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas City Chiefs. His love of learning, teaching and competition intersected in his love of trivia. In childhood, he loved quizzing his siblings, then, when he became a parent, he continued the tradition with his own children, much to their consternation. Even a short car ride could be a teaching opportunity, with each song on the radio becoming a chance to quiz them on the artist and the artist’s background. His love of learning, teaching and research never waivered, whether in his professional life or on topics of interest to his children, from restaurants and historic sites in a study-abroad city to the best tools, shoes or items for sports, travel or other activities. He loved to acquire information, both to teach his children important lessons but also to take care of them, and he was exceptional at doing both. He is survived by his wife Jennifer Kay Postoak, his children, Kaylee Ann Postoak (21), Connor Wayne Postoak (20), and Taylor Elise Postoak (19); his father, Wayne Postoak; his siblings Paula Postoak-Buffalomeat, Penny Postoak Ferguson (Dwight), and Tony Postoak (Kathy); his nieces and nephews, Anthony, Samantha, Kobe, Kaiden, Peyton, Breck and Autumn. He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Postoak. Darren lived a full life and leaves a tremendous legacy. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff of the UF Health Heart and Vascular Hospital Intensive Care Unit for their care at the end of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be made to UF Medical Guild, Inc., P.O. Box 142246, Gainesville, FL 32614 or online at https://com-medical-guild-a2.sites.medinfo.ufl.edu/?page_id=10558&preview=true The UF Medical Guild endows scholarships for medical students, funds special projects at UF Health and other community health organizations in Alachua County, Florida, and provides financial support to patients and their families who lack resources for immediate needs that arise while patients are treated in the hospital. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Trinity United Methodist Church, 4000 NW 53rd Ave., Gainesville, FL 32653. A Celebration of Life will be held in Lawrence, Kansas, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, with details to be confirmed soon.

Dr. Darren Wayne Postoak

September 10, 1963 - November 2, 2025