George Craig Stayner

George Craig Stayner, aged 79, passed away unexpectedly on March 20, 2026. He had just completed a workout at his favorite gym where he was training for a Senior Division Weightlifting Competition. Nothing would have made him prouder than to tell people "I died at the gym." Craig was never short on a joke, words of encouragement, or an amended tax return. He was the epitome of hard work in his career and the first to extend a hand to help someone in need.

Born to George LaVar and Mildred Ford Stayner on April 8, 1946, in Salt Lake City, Utah he grew up on C Street, attended West High, served an LDS mission in the Franco-Belgian Mission and later graduated with his MBA from the University of Utah. Craig married Laura Newton in 1975 and they raised their 4 children in Bountiful. He was a loving father to JL (Janalynne), KC (Hannah), Alex (Jenn), and Allison (Ryan) and a proud grandfather to 16 grandchildren. In 2015 he married Val Schwendiman and made their home in North Salt Lake.

As a tax professional, Craig spent over 50 years building a successful accounting firm that bore his name. He took immense pride in his craft and was a master of finding tax write-offs and deductions. It didn't matter if it was $1 or $100,000, he fought relentlessly (and creatively) to protect every penny from the IRS. Not many people look forward to doing taxes, but his clients did. Even when the appointments started late, ran long, and W2's or receipts had to be emailed multiple times, his clients loved him and they left the office with a smile on their face, a refund on the way, and most importantly a friend for life.

Beyond his work, Craig was always entertaining new passions or new hobbies. He was an accomplished Scuba Diver and family trips often revolved around dive locations. He practiced Krav Maga Self Defense and lucky for everyone he never had to use it. He loved the piano, playing with such energy and zeal that you could likely hear him pounding the ivory keys from 2 houses away. His cooking was the stuff of dreams but the mess he made in the kitchen was the stuff of nightmares. He was a "fisherman," but only in Alaska where the salmon were large, plentiful and practically jumped in the boat. At the end of the week, he would fly home with enough fish to share with neighbors and stock his freezer until next year's fishing trip. He climbed mountains, most times with his bright florescent yellow hat. Among his big peaks were both the Middle and Grand Tetons. Just 3 years ago he checked off his "bucket list" item when at 77 years old he completed the full 4-day, 27-mile hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. His latest hobby had us all excited to cheer him on at his upcoming weightlifting competition.

His pride and joy were his children and grandchildren. His clients can attest that most tax appointments included time set aside for him to proudly share stories about them. As his grandchildren grew, so did his commitment to games, recitals, performances, and every milestone in between. Last summer, wanting to create lasting memories, he helped bring the entire family together for a trip to Mexico. Because of him, his children and grandchildren will carry memories they will cherish for a lifetime.

Craig leaves behind a legacy of hard work, generosity, and acts of service. He was always working-but more importantly, always giving. His downtown office was a safe place for Salt Lake City's unhoused who knew he would provide a place to shelter at night, an outlet to charge their phones, and a clean bathroom with a shower. We will never fully know how many lives he impacted through a meal delivered in a Ziploc bag, grace on a past-due bill, a donation to a fundraiser he never heard of, a forgiven rent payment, a loan he never expected to be repaid, an entire Christmas for a family in need, or even an anonymous stack of cash. He was always stepping in to share his surplus and blessings with those in need. He was beyond generous to those he sometimes barely knew.

His testimony in Jesus Christ and the power of the Atonement was pure. He loved to serve in his church callings and committed to serve them faithfully. He poured countless hours preparing for Gospel Doctrine and Sunday School lessons, usually with 2 hours of content for a 45-minute class. He had a testimony of tithing and taught the principle even while preparing tax returns. Above all, he loved his Savior, and we find comfort in the principles he taught us of the plan of salvation and it truly being God's plan of happiness.

A viewing will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 N Main Street, Bountiful.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 351 Lofty Lane, North Salt Lake, with a viewing held from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. 

All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, and in Craig's memory, we encourage you to give generously to someone you barely know (sorry, that will not be tax deductible).

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.