Kraig Kenneth Lords

KRAIG KENNETH LORDS, 58, passed away in his home on October 12th, 2023, surrounded by his wife and children after an intense, 4-month battle with brain cancer.

Kraig was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on September 19th, 1965, the second child of Kenneth and Carmen (Mecham) Lords. At age 2 they moved to Winnemucca, Nevada where he grew up and completed his school years. He then went to Brigham Young University where he studied Psychology. He served a mission in Portugal for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1984-1986, where he met his future wife, Sue, who was also serving a mission at the time. When he later ran into Sue at BYU, he realized she was actually a pretty girl—not just another missionary—and they had a quick courtship and short engagement.

Kraig married Linda Sue Purnell in the Logan, Utah Temple on August 14th, 1987. They had their first two children, Karinda and Andrea, while living in Provo, Utah, where Kraig continued his schooling at BYU. They lived in Vernal, Utah for one year while he did his School Psychology Internship. He graduated from BYU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Education, and a Specialist Degree in School Psychology. Kraig and Sue moved to Winnemucca in 1991, where they added sons Shawn, Dallin, Abram, and Luke to their family. Kraig worked for the Humboldt County School District for 20 years as a School Psychologist and the Director of Special Education, as well as providing private counseling for many youth and adults who struggled with mental illness. He felt strongly that he had a special purpose in helping the downtrodden and oppressed. He was a talented teacher and taught night classes at the community college for many semesters. In 2011 the family moved to Kaysville, Utah, where he worked for the Davis School District as a School Psychologist for 13 years. He was extremely skilled and effective in his work with children of all ages, as well as teachers, administrators, and parents. He was considered an exemplary leader in his department, and some described him as a healer of souls.

Kraig was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was passionate about serving others and attending the temple. He loved the Savior and was bold about sharing his testimony through words and deeds. He loved to read in his free time. He was an avid fan of BYU football, the Miami Dolphins and the Boston Red Sox. Spending time with his family was very important to him. He loved reading to his grandchildren and watching old cartoons with them. Kraig had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. He made people feel important and loved and was a very gentle soul.

He is survived by his wife, Sue, and six children: Karinda Kilgrow (Parker), Andrea, Shawn, Dallin (Rachel), Abram, and Luke. Grandchildren: Jaydin, Landon, Kaydence, and Kennady Kilgrow; Henry, Oscar, and Samuel Hoeft; and Raylin Lords. His parents, Ken and Carmen Lords, and siblings: Beth Anne Watterson (Bill), Boyd Lords (Karla), Kevin Lords (Amy), Brenda Connell (Moe), and Paul Lords (Jennifer), and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Melvin and Leona Lords, Onan and Nola Mecham, his father and mother-in-law Glen and Donna Purnell, brother-in-law Bill Watterson, and nephew Cole Watterson.

Funeral services for Kraig will be held on October 21st, 2023 at 875 East 200 North, Kaysville UT, 84037. The funeral will begin at 11:00, with a viewing starting at 9:00 a.m. Burial services will immediately follow at the Kaysville City Cemetery. A live streaming of the funeral will be available through the SereniCare Funeral Home website: www.serenicare.com.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the medical staff at the University of Utah Hospital, the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Craig Nielson Rehabilitation Hospital, and Huntsman at Home/CNS Hospice services for their excellent care and compassionate service provided to Kraig and his family. The family would also like to thank the team at SereniCare for their kind and helpful services.

In lieu of flowers, you may wish to donate to the family for funeral expenses, etc.  For your convience, see the donation link below.  

The funeral can be viewed live on