September 4, 1949 ~ April 26, 2023 (age 73)
Craig Richard Jeffs was born on September 4, 1949 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He passed away April 26, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.
A viewing will be held at Myers Mortuary on Sunday, May 7, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. An additional viewing will be held in the Brigham City South Stake Center (865 S. 300 W. Brigham City) on Monday, May 8, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. after which funeral services will commence at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will follow in the Brigham City Cemetery.
Craig was preceded in death by his father Richard Thomas Jeffs, his mother Phyllis June Rodgers Jeffs, and his younger brother Gary Jeffs.
He is survived by his wife Deylene Moffett Jeffs, two sisters, Connie Jorgensen and Linda Bates, a younger brother Scott Jeffs and his children, Teryl Jeffs (Pam), Camilla Webb (Ryan), Travis Jeffs (Camilla), Kyle Jeffs (Trisha), and Mauressa Jaussi (Beau) as well as 18 grandchildren.
Much of Craig’s youth was spent playing baseball on the streets and in the fields in and around his home in the Salt Lake Valley. He graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1967 and was called on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in the New York, Cumorah mission. Upon completing an honorable mission, Craig continued his studies at both Weber State University and the University of Utah in the area of elementary education. He also received a Master’s Degree in Education from Utah State University. After graduation, Craig spent 38 years teaching sixth grade students in the Weber School District! He retired in 2012, having had a positive impact on thousands and thousands of young lives.
One of Craig’s passions was the game of baseball. Early on in his adult life, Craig could be found on the diamond playing on various teams. In his later years you would find him watching a game while riding his stationary bike, walking on the treadmill, or gliding on his elliptical at home. Vacations were often scheduled around games that would be taking place where they were traveling! He absolutely loved the game, but baseball wasn’t the only activity in which Craig participated. He loved to cycle and put tens of thousands of miles on his bikes. He spent time in the gym and often jumped in on soccer games with his grandchildren. He loved spending time on the Smith and Morehouse River in the Uintah’s fly fishing with his kids and reading a good book at home in his recliner (he was a voracious reader). He even got outside his comfort zone at one point and tried out for a local theater production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” where he was assigned the role of Ruben. His solo was phenomenal! The reality is that where there was an opportunity to be active, that’s where you found Craig Jeffs.
Craig found ways to serve in his community. He was called to be the bishop of the Brigham City 10th ward for a number of years. He spent time working as a missionary in the Bishop’s Storehouse locally. He and Deylene delivered food to the elderly for the Meals on Wheels program. Most recently as a couple, they served in various capacities in the Maple Springs Living Center in Brigham City. Craig also honored his parents in his home by helping to care for them in the final stages of their lives.
Although he loved sports, being active, and serving in his community, Craig’s number one passion was his family. A lifetime of evidence provides some insight into how much his family meant to him. Handball in the basement with his children to family Jeopardy on Sundays, to attending as many grandchildren’s activities as they could, Craig and Deylene have made a concerted effort to put family first. Craig loved his wife, children and grandchildren and will be greatly missed, but we find solace in knowing that we will be with him again for the eternities and together as a family. We love you grandpa!
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at Myers Mortuary.