Craig Dee Stephens

Craig Dee Stephens, 69, of Roy, Utah passed away on October 21, 2017 due to complications from heart surgery.  He was born in Ogden, Utah to Esther and Harold Stephens.  He graduated from Weber High School and received his associates degree from Weber State University in mechanics.

Craig was a rifle expert and served in the Vietnam War as a combat engineer and received several metals.  He was a member of the American Trap Shooting Association and enjoyed going shooting and building bullets. He was involved with Federal Managers Association (FMA) and a member of the VFW.

He worked at DDO and then Hill Air Force Base where he worked  on the Minuteman Missile and later became a Maintenance Supervisor.  He worked 26.5 years at Hill AFB and was able to retire at the young age of 45.

Craig had a love for the outdoors since he was a child, especially Yost.  He enjoyed riding his four-wheelers, boating, fishing, hunting and camping.  He spent many summers at La Plata Ranch doing what he loved, telling lies around the camp fire and hanging out with his camping cronies.

He was an excellent mechanic and one of his talents was building and rebuilding car engines.  He owned his own safety and emissions business and also built his own 1929 convertible Mercedes Benz kit car and had driven in many parades.

Craig married the love of his life VerDene on New Year's Eve 1989.  Together they blended their families. He had three children:  CoDee, Landon and Lacee and VerDene had two children, Brandi Douglass Thomas and Brody Douglass.  Craig also had 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild.  Craig and VerDene together were foster parents to over 200 children for over 25 years  Craig was the big teddy bear for them, especially the babies. 

Craig was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Jay and Brent Stephens.  He is also preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Merlene Stephens.

A special thank you to the University of Utah Cardiac ICU Staff for your gentle and compassionate care of Craig. 

At his request, he will be cremated.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 11 am at Aaron's Mortuary, 496 24th Street, Ogden, Utah.   Friends may visit with family prior to the service from 10 to 11 am.