Craig Faye Heesch

People often said Craig Faye Heesch “restored their faith in humanity.” 

On December 27, 2024, Craig passed away peacefully in Saint George, Utah.

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Craig’s arrival into the world was as remarkable as the life he would live. After celebrating the 4th of July at a dance, his parents, Ellen and Vernon Heesch, quietly slipped away to the hospital, where Craig was born prematurely at just 3 ½ pounds. They carried him home in a shoebox, beginning a journey that would defy the odds.

From a young age, Craig had a deep love for music. He learned to sing while standing in his crib, blending his voice with Frank Sinatra’s instead of taking a nap. Growing up in Side Lake, Minnesota, with his five siblings and several cousins, living in log cabins and helping their parents run the Whispering Pines Resort, Craig was educated in a one-room schoolhouse, where he sang his first solo. At age 12, his family moved to Portland, Oregon, where a neighbor—who initially reprimanded Craig and his brother for breaking bottles into the creek—soon became a close friend and introduced Craig to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was baptized and remained steadfast in his faith every day of his life. It was in this ward where he first met Varna Howell. They dated through high school, and then went their separate ways.

After high school, Craig worked installing the telephone system in Medford, Oregon, then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and later the Air National Guard. Alongside these endeavors, his musical gift flourished, and with encouragement from the legendary Mel Tormé, Craig pursued singing as a strong interest when he wasn’t providing for his then wife, Carol McKillop, with whom he had two children, later divorced and then continued his business endeavors.

Craig's strong work ethic led him to create successful businesses, one of which took him to Brazil, where he survived a plane crash and subsequent jungle imprisonment. His plight even caught the attention of President Ronald Reagan. Eventually freed, Craig returned home to the United States and went on to invent a bellow-type screw that was patented and used in the aerospace industry.

One day, Craig's brother called him to say that Varna was single and suggested he contact her. They were married on February 14, 1985 and sealed in the Logan, UT temple.

Craig's smooth voice continued to captivate audiences. His singing career included performances at prestigious venues such as the Lincoln Center in New York, and he performed as the guest artist with the famed 72-piece Seoul Pops Orchestra in Korea. Craig’s album From Out of the Wings was produced by Jim Pike, founder of The Lettermen, and received many Grammy Award nominations. Renowned jazz authority Johnny Adams also praised Craig’s vocal successes, saying, “Not since Frank Sinatra or Buddy Greco have I been so impressed with a vocalist.”

Craig's keen mind and exemplary ambition led him to employment as a policeman for the Culver City Police Department, where he received honors for his work. He also served undercover for the FBI, was a trained pilot, and a certified Master Golf Instructor who taught on the LPGA Tour and at Dixie College.

Craig's contributions to both music and business were remarkable, but those who knew him best remember him for his unwavering faith, deep integrity, and love for his country and family. Throughout his life, he served faithfully in the church. He and Varna served for ten years in the San Diego temple and also served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Temple Square from 2016 to 2017, where they were adored by the 200 young women who had the privilege of knowing Craig. His impact on their lives was immeasurable.

One of the many things those close to Craig will remember is his passion for culinary creations. With this came a unique and often perfectionist approach to his cooking. The reward for his efforts was the joy of sharing his creations with family and friends.

Above all, Craig was a man whose life was first and forever grounded in faith, family, and service. His legacy of kindness, devotion, and unwavering belief in the good in others will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. After years of struggling with declining health, Craig quietly commented, “I’m ready to go home.” Shortly thereafter, he did just that.

Craig is survived by his wife, Varna; son Craig Allen (Angela) Heesch; daughter Colleen Flint; grandchildren Ashley (Shane) Harder and Vincent Craig Heesch; and darling great-granddaughters Sienna, Scarlett, and Kira; stepchildren Cheri (David) Meiners, Victor W. Jorgensen, Erik Christian Jorgensen, and step-grandchildren Kara (Luke) Decker, Erika Meiners, James (Tammy) Meiners, Daniel (Mason) Meiners, Julia (Mathew) Kuhn, and Andrea (Dylan) Wolfe; 14 great step-grandchildren; and sister Diane Smith. Preceded in death by Robert Erik Jorgensen.

A memorial service for Craig will be held on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, River Ridge Ward, 2434 East Riverside Drive, St. George, UT 84790. A visitation at the same address will begin at 9:00 a.m. Join the Zoom meeting after 9:45 @ https://zoom.us/j/91707904520 Meeting ID: 917 0790 4520.

In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate in his honor at: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world/giving-machines