David Dee Croft

David D. Croft 1944 ~ 2013 David Dee Croft was born on May 23, 1944 to Dee Heiner Croft and Marjorie Anderson Croft in Price, UT. On January 19, 1967 he married Ellen Craner in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He passed away Monday, September 9, 2013. David graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Communications. He was also "loaned" to BYU for one year where he taught upper-division journalism courses in editing, layout and design. David started his newspaper career at the Ogden Standard Examiner as a photographer and police and courts reporter. After four years, he moved to the Church News where he traveled extensively with President Spencer W. Kimball and other church authorities. After five years he moved to the Deseret News, where he was a staff writer, Assistant City Editor, Associate City Editor, and, after teaching himself enough to be the computer expert on staff, was their first systems manager. As a newspaperman he received many awards, both in his and the Deseret News's name, including projects he conceived and headed which were named as finalists for the Pulitzer Prize three times. He retired from the Deseret News after 35 years. One of the special blessings he and Ellen shared was to serve as ordinance workers in the Jordan River Temple for five years, where he also served as instructor for ordinance workers. Whether in church, at the temple, or professionally, David loved to teach. He loved to work with children and was delighted to be a father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Ellen and their 5 children: Bryan (Elizabeth Jo), Amy, Mathew (Amanda), Nathan (Alisha), and Keith; and 7 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2013 at David's church, the LDS Chapel at 7511 So. 2700 W. in West Jordan, UT where a viewing will begin 2 hours prior to the service. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate a contribution in David's name be sent to the Alzheimers Association (http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp) or the LDS Perpetual Education Foundation (http://pef.lds.org/pef/howcanihelp?locale=eng). Arrangements under the direction of McDougal Funeral Home. Place of Birth:Price, UtahPlace of Death:Salt Lake City, Utah