J. Craig De Graff Obituary (1946 - 2021)

Graveside services for Craig De Graff will be broadcast via Facebook Live on Friday, February 19, 2021 beginning at 1:00 PM MDT. To watch this service, please click on the link below. Click HERE to view Graveside Services for Craig De Graff J. Craig De Graff passed away on January 21, 2021, following a brief but determined battle against cancer and from complications of COVID 19. Craig was born in Provo, Utah on October 18, 1946 to Jay W. and Clara Christine Jensen De Graff. Owing to his father’s occupation, he and his 3 sisters were raised in parts of Utah, Montana and Oregon. His high school years were spent in Hyrum, Utah at South Cache High School. Craig was a devoted and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ was evident to anyone who ever met him. Like his father before him, he served in the Central States Mission. His mission was a high point in his life and a stepping stone for many years of church service to come. After returning home from his mission, he completed his studies at Brigham Young University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Economics. On September 10, 1969, Craig was sealed for time and all eternity to his sweetheart, Patricia Noble. Together they raised 5 wonderful, accomplished and devoted children. Craig had an entrepreneurial spirit, which led to a life of adventure! Early in his marriage, he and his young family lived in Farmington, New Mexico, helping his parents in a philanthropic endeavor with indigenous people there. He worked for Mountain Bell in Cedar City, Utah (cultivating a life-long dislike for talking on the phone!). During his time in Cedar City, he attended Officer Candidate School at Camp Williams, receiving the Adjutant General’s Saber Award as the Outstanding Candidate in his class. His service in the Army National Guard took him and his family to Falls Church, Virginia, where he worked at the National Guard Computer Center. He was awarded an Army Commendation Medal for his work. His time in this position also helped cultivate his love of technology and the power of computing that would become a focal point of his professional pursuits. In 1976, Craig and his growing family moved to Kearns, Utah, where he served as Bishop of the Kearns 26th Ward. It was also during this time of his life that his passion for flying was realized. He spent many hours flying his Bellanca Viking and remained an enthusiast of aviation for the rest of his life. In 1983, he, Patricia and their children moved to South Jordan, Utah, which would remain their forever home. He also began his work for Northwest Pipeline/Williams as a telecommunications manager for 3 natural gas pipelines in the Western United States. He was well renowned for the work he did and kept the pipeline running at full capacity. Though his service to the Lord lasted a lifetime, his retirement from Northwest in 2001 allowed him to pursue his true passion of family history and temple work in earnest. He began working at the Jordan River Temple where he served as a Veil Worker, Ordinance Worker, Assistant Recorder and Sealer. Over the years, Craig served in many church callings. In addition to his calling as a Bishop, he also served as Young Men President, High Councilor, Stake Mission President, Stake Assistant Clerk/Technology Expert, and taught a Gospel Doctrine class in every ward he lived in after his mission. He loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was the cornerstone of his life and influenced every decision he ever made. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 52 years, Patricia, children Stephanie, Brooke, Adam (Lisa), Steven (Ashley), and Marc (Diana), 11 adoring grandchildren and three sisters. Craig was preceded in death by his beloved parents Jay and Clara De Graff, his sister Janet and a too-soon departed grandson, Beck. We trust the reunion has been joyful and look forward to the day that eternal covenants will transcend this mortal separation and reunite us all. Due to COVID 19 restrictions, a private family service (invitation only) will be held on Friday, January 29, 2021 at 11:00am. The service will be broadcast via an online streaming service provided by: http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/southjordanutahcountryparkstake and will also be available online afterward. We extend our gratitude to the devoted nurses and doctors at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Intermountain Healthcare who treated both his cancer and COVID 19 this year. Their relentless, compassionate service to him and our family will be remembered as a hallmark of dedication in a turbulent year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund.