Craig Richards Iverson

Craig Richards Iverson passed away on September 10th, 2025, peacefully at home in Kaysville, Utah.

Born June 23, 1936, to Joseph Grant and Ina Mercedes Richards Iverson in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from East High School and attended the University of Utah. Craig joined the Utah Air National Guard in 1953 as a 17-year-old aviation mechanic and was soon after awarded a pilot training slot in 1956, receiving his officer commission and attending fighter interceptor school in Florida and Texas.

Craig began an airline pilot career with United Air Lines in December 1959 at only 23 years old. Throughout his career he flew various aircraft and was based in Boston, Chicago, and Denver. He served as a Line Check Airman, training new pilots, and truly loved his job. He retired in 1996 as the most senior pilot at the airline.

His job also allowed him the opportunity to meet his future wife. Craig met Charlene Moore, who was a flight attendant for United, on a blind date in 1965 and they married 6 months later in Glendale, California. He and friends shared the Gospel with her, he had the privilege of baptizing her, and the next year they were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Craig served our country as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War as an F-100 pilot assigned to the Colorado Air National Guard. He flew 181 combat missions over the course of his year-long tour of duty and was awarded several Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his selflessness during one particular mission providing close air support for ground troops in harm’s way. Throughout his military career he was assigned to the Illinois, Colorado, and Utah Air National Guard units, flying fighters and air refueling tankers. Craig retired honorably in 1978 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Craig was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving faithfully in many different callings over the course of his life. From his selfless service for his country, serving in church positions, and always being willing to help friends and neighbors, he was a great example of loving his neighbor as himself.

He is survived by his wife Charlene, children Julie (David) Allred, Grant (Sarah) Iverson, and Brad (Kaylynn) Iverson, his brother J. Scott (Gloria) Iverson, as well as 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

With many health challenges over the last years of his life, the family expresses sincere gratitude to all who cared for him physically, most of all his favorite caretaker and eternal companion Charlene.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 15th, 2025, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. A short visitation will precede the funeral service from 1:15 -1:45 p.m. The interment will be at the Lakeview Memorial Cemetery, 1640 East Lakeview Drive, Bountiful, Utah.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live-stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.