OBITUARY: Craig D. Stephenson; Holden, Millard co., Utah
surname: Stephenson, Johnson, Merrell, 

Transcribed by Stephen D. Robison (kinseeker @ hotmail.com)
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Obituary: The Salt Lake Tribune, Tuesday, 10 Feb 2004:

Craig D. Stephenson
7/12/46 ~ 2/8/04
"God Gave Me so many Gifts"

     Craig D. Stephenson, 57, loving husband, father and grandfather, left
this earth to sing and perform elsewhere after battling brain cancer since
November 2001.

     Born July 12, 1946 in Salt Lake City, UT to loving parents James W.
Stephenson and Mildred Johnson, of Holden, UT, and a great heritage he
admired.

     Married the former Barbara Ann Merrell of Provo, UT, on June 30, 1967,
later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple, June 8, 1972. Against many odds,
they remained together until his death. Together they had many children,
grandchildren, and incredible experiences. While the ordinary school years
provided a typical foundation, Craig's "life's educational process" was not
the norm for a person of his extremes. Among his many successes were mistakes.
Watching and learning from people was his life's thesis. As he studied people
around him, many became his best instructors. After seven years as Account
Executive with the Newspaper Agency Corp., he began a nearly 30-year career in
Utah's financial services industry. He began with his knack for sales and
investments with Utah's largest banks. He excelled in all areas. He truly
enjoyed helping people with their financial and investment needs, and became a
trusted advisor to many over the years. While his business career "paid the !
 bills," his passion was for singing and performing engendered by his parents,
especially his mother. Often called, "The Voice," he began singing at age 5 on
TV's Uncle Roscoe Show. At age 18, under chaperone agreements, he performed at
the Terrace Ballroom, Club Manhattan, and numerous other nightclubs. He knew
he was born with a great vocal gift from his Heavenly Father, and later
realized singing in night clubs was not where his voice should be showcased,
even though the agent for the late Rovaun suggested he give Las Vegas a try.
In his late teens he was widely known as a top Utah straight pool player,
competing in Utah and California. Tough to beat at most any form of pocket
billiards in his prime. Craig's aggressive and impatient personality required
he learn things quickly, thus vocal training was hit and miss, certainly not
like other well-known Utah performers. But thanks to a great vocal teacher,
Betty Jean Chipman, his undisciplined vocal style was harnessed to perform
with Utah Opera Co., and lead roles in over thirty-five musicals along the
Wasatch Front. He performed at Pioneer Theater Co., Lagoon Opera House,
Promised Valley Playhouse, Hale Center Theater, RMT, Ballet West Baritone,
recordings, movies, numerous commercials and more. He was guest soloist and
later a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He will probably be best
remembered, however, for his numerous stage and film portrayals of the Prophet
Joseph Smith in Utah and Nauvoo, and his nine years as Jed in Promised Valley,
often with wife Barbara and his children. He was guest baritone soloist with
the Utah, Phoenix, and Billings Symphonies, Mormon Youth Symphony & Chorus,
Ballet West, Utah Opera, and many early Utah Arts Festivals. He performed at
countless corporate, civic, private events, and on a cruise ship. He
especially thanks Barbara's piano, for the thousands of frustrating hours over
the early years. Also thanks to his family's continual support with his many
performing opportunities. He also thanks the superbly talented artists!
  he worked with. He loved to travel with his love and closest friend,
Barbara, and his children. They had many wonderful experiences, and enjoyed
visiting historical areas.

     He is survived by wife Barbara, children; Annette (Davy), James (Karen),
Jeffrey, Derek (Joanette), Matthew, Terry Mitchell (Cheryl), and
grandchildren: Brandon, Jennifer, Jessica, McKenna, Brenna Millie, Alyssa,
Kristen, Jacob, T.J., Riley, and Sydnee.

     Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 12, 2004 at 11:00 a.m.
at the Olympus 6th Ward, 3070 E. Nila Way, Holladay, UT. Friends and family
are invited to a viewing from 6 - 8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401
Highland Drive the prior evening and one hour prior to the service at the
church. 

     Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 2/10/2004.