Howard Craig Norton

On November 6, 2026, we witnessed the peaceful passing of a true Renaissance man and one of our Heavenly Father's ‘good and faithful’ servants. Howard Craig Norton, age 77, passed away at his home in South Jordan, Utah.

Craig was born on July 17, 1949, to Howard Norton and Betty Lou Johnson in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the second of 9 siblings. That sibling love for each other, deep and without bounds, continues to this day.

Craig was married to his eternal companion, Debra Lynn Benson, on January 16, 1974, in the Salt Lake Temple. He was a constant example to his family, and all he came in contact with, that he was a devoted husband, father, uncle, brother, and Papa.

He is survived by his wife Debbie; their children, Jonathan (Dondra), Christopher (Paige), Michael and Caralee (Wesley); 23 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; three sisters - Cheryl (Chuck) Larsen, Julie (Burton) White and Gaylynne Wright; three brothers - Grant (Colleen), Jeff (Laurie) and Gary (Heidi). Preceding him in death were his parents and 2 of his siblings – Bryan and Connie.

Craig was, in the truest sense of the phrase, a Renaissance man. There seemed to be nothing he could not learn, and nothing he could not do. He could install or repair anything electrical, anything to do with heating or air conditioning, plumbing, construction, or automotive. He was a skilled woodworker who took quiet pride in what his hands could create. He wore several “Dad” hats – he was a ‘scouting’ Dad; a ‘little league coach’ Dad; a ‘dance’ Dad; even a “Mr Mom” Dad for a while. Professionally, he wore many hats. He was an insurance broker, a mortgage broker, a real estate broker, and retired as what was defined as a commercial building engineer. He approached each job as if it were his last, always giving his very best. He was always open to learning a new skill, and he saw every ability as another way to be of service, another way to bless the lives of others.

He grew up in the Poplar Grove and Taylorsville neighborhoods where kids were free to play outside all day as long as they were home in time for supper or before the street lights came on. He loved playing basketball, softball, baseball, and football in his earlier years, along with hunting and fishing with his dad, brothers, relatives, and neighborhood friends.

Craig was a gifted and award-winning trumpet player. Music was another one of the many talents God blessed him with. He shared it generously at Granger High School and while attending BYU. He was a song writer/composer. He had an incredible memory for classic rock groups and songs of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. He taught himself to play the harmonica - a talent he shared with his father - and blessed his posterity with melodies that each child has passed down to their children with smiles of their origin.

Craig served as a missionary for two years in what was then the Central States Mission, later the South Central States Mission, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he gained a fervent testimony of our Father in Heaven and of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of the restored gospel, which led to a lifelong passion for teaching its doctrines and scriptures. That experience led to many church callings throughout his life that he faithfully fulfilled: Elders Quorum President, Stake Young Men President, Scout Leader, in addition to other callings. He served as a temple worker for nearly ten years in the Jordan River and Oquirrh Mountain Temples. Later, he served four years as an addiction recovery missionary, walking beside others in their hardest moments and helping them find hope with patience and compassion.

Shortly after returning from serving the Lord in the mission field, Craig joined the Army National Guard (during the Vietnam conflict, his draft number was considered low, thus increasing his chances of being drafted). During his basic training, he was awarded the top marksmanship award for a skill he undoubtedly developed during years of wildlife hunting in Utah with his family! He served nine years in the Guard as part of a heavy equipment maintenance unit. One memorable summer camp deployment was to Germany.

Craig was involved in serving the young men of the community through scouting and understood the value of teaching boys the skills to become men in hopes of creating future leaders through scouting and religious activity. All three of our sons earned their Eagle Scout rank before turning fourteen, a reflection of the standard their father set and the encouragement he gave. He completed Wood Badge to expand his leadership training. He also attended LDS leadership training at Philmont in Cimarron, New Mexico. He served in many leadership levels over his 30+ years – from troop level to District and Great Salt Lake Council level. His own service was recognized with one of the highest honors in scouting 🡪the Silver Beaver Award. He never sought any recognition. He simply showed up and gave everything he had. His actions in these organizations were small in comparison to the lives of those he touched during his time of service.

On July 24, 2024, Craig underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor that was pressing on his spinal cord. The weekend before, it had taken his legs. After that, he became dependent on a wheelchair but was totally committed to walking again. Through his dedication to that goal and the expertise of the physical therapists at Neuroworx, he progressed until he could walk again with the aid of a walker before the disease advanced faster than the therapy. Throughout the eight years of facing this dreaded disease, he remained positive and approached life with contagious optimism.

Craig was a true man of God and one who will be deeply missed by his family and countless people from all walks of life who came in contact with him throughout his lifetime. He set an example for his family and all of those who knew him. By that example, he truly gained the admiration of family, friends, and business associates.

We take comfort in knowing that the Lord he served so faithfully has welcomed him home, and testify that the promises of the gospel he loved are real. We will be together again. We do not say “goodbye forever”. We say “until we meet again”, trusting in the promises of a loving Savior, and in the reunion that awaits all those who have kept the faith. Craig kept it. He was greeted with “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. Of that there is no doubt. We also know, with assurance, that Craig was welcomed by many on the other side of the veil whose lives he had touched during his sojourn on this earth. We will miss our association with him but will keep his memory in our hearts forever because:

“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die."

Thomas Campbell

The family would like to thank all the family, church members, and outstanding friends who have provided endless service, support, and condolences at this time.

The family is grateful for the caring staff of Independence Home Health and Hospice as well as Serenity Hospice, who were so tender and attentive to him as he closed this chapter in his life. We were especially blessed to have had Melissa Richins, a niece, as his primary nurse.

Services will be held at the South Jordan Utah Stake Center, located at 10227 South 4000 West, South Jordan, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday, November 20, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. An additional viewing will be held Saturday, November 21, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM.

For those unable to attend in person, a zoom link is provided below.

https://zoom.us/j/95611816585?pwd=xjsp2kWdfixRcFHqgZgndLZbhJpxT2.1