James Burton Graff

Passed Away: 2.16.22

James Burton Graff of St. George, Utah, passed away on February 16, 2022. Jim was born on August 25, 1938, in St. George, Utah. His parents are L.J. and Sylvia Stucki Graff, and he lived in Santa Clara, Utah, throughout his youth. Jim enjoyed the outdoors and would come home from school, grab his gun and the family tractor, and head in many directions to find something to hunt. He had many friends and they enjoyed playing sports and “town games†like kick the can. Jim and his brother Jerry enjoyed teasing their sisters, lighting firecrackers of various sizes, and blowing up the countryside. All the kids worked the family produces business, picking whatever was ripe at the time and taking it to market. Jim had many stories of being on the truck with his dad, while they picked up and delivered produce from Northern Utah to the Mexican border. They would also sell products on the highway in front of the family home. They were famous for their fresh-squeezed lemonade. Jim went to elementary school in Santa Clara and junior high and high school in St. George where he graduated from Dixie High and later Dixie College. While in high school he met and fell in love with Carole Fullerton, and they would later marry on June 1, 1958. They finished school in Cedar City, Utah. Jim then received a contract to teach school in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1960. He taught 4th and 5th grade at Tom Williams Elementary School for 10 years. During that time, he attended Northern Arizona University in the summers to get his Masters's Degree 32. He then took a position as principal of C.C. Ronnow, C.P. Squires, and R.E. Tobler elementaries over the next 24 years. He retired in 1994. Jim was an influence for good to thousands of children through the years. He loved to run into them later and see what they had accomplished. Anytime any of his children were introduced to someone, they would ask if they were related to Mr. Graff. The conversation would often end with the person sharing how Jim had influenced their life. This held true for the teachers that taught with Jim as well. Many fond memories and lifelong friendships were formed! After retirement, Jim and Carole returned to Southern Utah and lived in Santa Clara and St. George. They traveled the world and took their RV to Morro Bay every summer. Jim loved to plant a large garden; many people were the recipients of his harvest of fruits and vegetables. He loved to Dutch Oven cook and taught many the art of cooking. Jim was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many positions throughout his life, serving as a Bishop twice, where he loved and served many people. He worked in the temple as a patron and greeter at the entrance door of St. George Temple. Jim is survived by sisters: Donna (Bud) Stafford, Roma (Bruce) Savage, and Judy (Dave) Gardner. Children: Samuel (Susan) Graff, Susan (Brad) Markus, and Tracy Graff. Eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife and sweetheart, Carole, parents L.J., and Sylvia, brother, Jerry, sister, LaRen Fleming, brother-in-law, Bruce Savage, and grandson, Niklaus Lawter. A viewing will be held Friday, March 4, 2022, from 5 pm-7 pm at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel on 1068 Chandler Drive, St. George, Utah. Viewing from 9 am-10:30 am, will precede the funeral service. Interment will be at the Santa Clara Cemetery, Ancestor Way, following the service. Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign his online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com