Craig Thomas

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Craig Thomas on Monday, December 18, 2023. Our family is heartbroken by his tragic and untimely passing due to cardiac arrest. He was an amazing son, brother, friend, and the favored guncle to his nieces and nephews. We all have been sincerely touched by the outpouring of love we have received by those who knew and loved him.

Craig’s stork arrived in St. George, Utah on October 10, 1978 to David and Elsie Thomas.  The youngest of six children, Craig attended Sky View High School in Smithfield, Utah, and completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Utah.  He lived in Porto Alegre, Brazil; Atlanta, Georgia; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Beaumont, Texas; making many dear friends along the way.

Beloved by all, Craig was earnestly passionate about music, animals, and anything inappropriately funny.  Craig’s sense of humor and his infectious laugh were among his best traits.  His photobombing skills were legendary.  He loved Disney musicals, Darth Vader, and Sci-Fi movies like Dune.  He memorized the funniest lines in “Arrested Development” and “The IT Crowd”; using them in daily conversation. He loved reading “Anne of Green Gables”, eating seafood (especially sushi), and drinking Guarana soda.  Craig loved the outdoors and spent much of his time hiking to picturesque places with friends and family.

Craig was celebrated for his talent with the pipe organ and played professionally in many capacities.  Early in his youth, he taught himself how to read music and play and became a master of the instrument.  Craig loved to start a piece simply, building expression verse-by-verse; climaxing to a window-cracking, rafter-rattling crescendo with ‘all the stops out’.  Craig had an encyclopedic knowledge of renowned pipe organs worldwide, including the number and size of the pipes.  He was thrilled to play many of them, including the Tabernacle and Conference Center organs in Utah.

One of his life’s greatest joys came through singing in choirs of distinction and talent.  He went on several international tours and sang in some very special places; including St. Peter’s Cathedral at the Vatican, the Pantheon in Rome, Eastern Europe, and the Holy Land.  His choirs were renowned, winning many awards, including 1^st place in an international competition in Germany. 

Craig had an obsession with all things aeronautic. Not only could he tell you the name of the aircraft under observation, but could even identify the specific variant based on things like winglets and even engine noises to the utter dumbfounding of passers-by.  He had dreams of completing the pilot’s license he started a few years ago.

Most of all, Craig loved animals. He especially loved his pups BeBe and Buster who gave his life so much joy, love, and meaning.  He considered them his children and loved them no less. Both of them have recently passed—the thought of them all frolicking together in the Afterlife brings our hearts solace.

Craig is survived by his parents, David and Elsie Thomas and by his siblings Mark (Suzanne), Brent (Jen), Mike (Melinda), Krista (Drifty), and Julie (Brad). Craig is also survived by 25 nieces and nephews and 5 great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family will host a Life Celebration at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 85 E. 100 N. in Logan, Utah on December 29, 2023 at 2:00 pm.

Please feel free to share any pictures or memories you have of Craig.  Our grief has been greatly assuaged by the many remembrances that have been shared.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Humane Society in honor of Bebe and Buster, his beloved pups.  https://www.americanhumane.org/give/ rescue-animals/