Paul David Graff was born on May 24, 1935, in Cedar City, Utah to Arnold LaMar Graff and Deloris Jensen Graff. He died on January 19, 2024, in Cedar City, following complications from a fall. He was raised in Cedar City with his 3 siblings, LaMar, Gaylord (G.J.), and Shirley (Joanna Brown).

Paul grew up in Cedar City and attended Iron County Schools. He spent his youth working on the family farm and on the mountain, herding sheep and moving cattle. He spent much of his time with his Grandma and Grandpa Graff in Kanarraville, a town he loved. Paul then graduated from CSU (SUU) and moved on to the University of Utah where he graduated with a degree in Biology in 1957.

In 1958, Paul’s Aunt Bee introduced him to Diana Tremewan, from Elko, Nevada, who was attending college in Salt Lake City. Paul and Diana married on November 8, 1958. They raised their family in both Salt Lake and Cedar City. His friends, both old and new, were important to Paul.

He worked in finance and mortgage while living in Salt Lake City and moved home to Cedar City with his family to manage the family farm after his physician father had a debilitating stroke. He cared lovingly for his father until his death.

Paul had many interests. He earned his pilot’s license while in college and continued to fly recreationally with his family for many years. Sheep Camps always grabbed his attention and he kept his childhood sheep wagon at his home where he enjoyed many hot chocolates with his children and grandchildren. Lambing season was an important time for Paul. He worked hard to save every lamb. Paul was an animal lover who cared for baby birds that had fallen from their nest to many horses, cats and dogs. Farming and raising crops always fascinated him, even in his final years. He played the piano beautifully by ear and entertained his family with his banjo ukulele.

Paul served as the manager of the Cedar Livestock Show and was a member of the Utah Cattleman’s Association and the Utah Woolgrowers. He supported his children and niece as their 4-H Leader when they raised steers. He cheered his family on in rodeos, band and orchestra concerts, sporting events, bridge-building contests and graduations. He encouraged his children to pursue their educational endeavors and helped his grandchildren with their homework, especially math. He took a concealed weapons course with 3 of his grandsons and impressed them at the gun range. He was interested in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s lives. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Paul and Diana built a mountain cabin at their beloved Spanish Hollow. Their children and grandchildren will always cherish the memories there. Paul was a voracious reader and finished a historical novel just before his death. He read the newspaper and comics every day without fail. His granddaughter introduced him to Wordle and he looked forward to completing the word puzzle every day. For the past ten years, he walked a mile daily at Smith’s Food and Drug, where he made many friends. We will miss the $2 dollar bills he placed in our Christmas stockings every year.

Paul is survived by his wife, Diana, and loved by their five children, Giana (N. Lee Hulet), Genifer (Kerry Rose), Gayle (Thadd Jennings), Paul Rowland (Kristine Doty) and Oliver Graham. He has eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his grandparents, parents and brothers.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Rock Church, 75 East Center Street, Cedar City, at noon. Visitation will be held that same morning from 10:30 to 11:30. Burial will be at the Cedar City Cemetery.