Craig Beatty

Craig Knell Beatty was called to his heavenly home on February 17, 2023, surrounded by family after 19 months of battling esophageal cancer. He was born on June 3, 1966, in Salt Lake City Utah to Richard Joseph Beatty and Shirley Knell Beatty. Throughout his childhood, he lived in Salt Lake, Battle Mountain, Delta, and Cedar City, Utah. As a child, Craig enjoyed riding his bike and playing in the mud. He participated in boy scouts and loved going to Disneyland.

As a junior in high school, Craig enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He graduated from Cedar City High school in 1984. In 1985 Craig married the love of his life, Kristen Maree (Webster) Beatty at the young age of 19. During his 8 years of duty, he served in California, Japan, Hawaii, and the Gulf War during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He loved the Marine Corps and could be heard throughout his life saying, “once a Marine, always a Marine.” In 1989 Craig and Kristen welcomed their first child, Marley. Their second child Weston followed in 1991. During those years, Craig pursued new job opportunities as a mail carrier, delivery driver, and volunteer Firefighter. In 1995 Craig and his family of four moved to Southern California, so Craig could start a new job endeavor as a business owner and electrician alongside his older brother Troy. In 1997 Craig and Kristen welcomed their third child Macray and then in 1999, their fourth child Kiyena was born. Craig and Kristen were sealed to each other and their children in the St. George Temple on July 29, 2004. Craig was a hard worker, he spent 27 years as an electrician and continued to work as long as he could throughout his cancer treatment.

Over the years Craig enjoyed spending time with family, riding motorcycles, camping, gold mining, woodworking, traveling, working, watching TV, drinking coke, flying airplanes, bowling, attending track meets, going to concerts, listening to music, telling jokes, and driving his Shelby Mustang.

He is survived by his wife Kristen Beatty, children Marley (Spencer) Palmer, Weston Beatty, Macray Beatty, and Kiyena Beatty, his parents Richard and Shirley Beatty, siblings Troy (Marie) Beatty, Kim (Ty) Berrett, and Jodi (Richard) Mathews. As well as four grandsons, Kellan, Fletcher, Heath, and Vaughn.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 500 W. 400 N. Cedar City, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the services at 10:00 am. Interment will be at the Cedar City Cemetery, under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences may be left at www.mortuary.org