Elden Eugene Gene DeGraw, 93, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of October 31, 2013, in Richland, Washington.

He was born in Spring Lake, Utah, on July 21, 1920, to Joseph Alma and Junietta Luella Chatwin. He married Rebecca Becky Anderson on September 1, 1943, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple--and recently, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at the Columbia River LDS Temple in Richland. The DeGraws moved to Richland in 1951 where Gene was employed by GE in the 200W area of Hanford. He worked as a machinist, shop foreman, and manager before retiring in 1987.

Throughout his life, Gene enjoyed fixing anything and everything, dancing, family get-togethers, orange flavored candies, and funny one-liners. He was a charmer to the end. But what characterized him most, was his unending love and faithful service to his family and church. He remained an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. After retirement, he and his wife served two LDS missions in London, England, and in St. George, Utah.

Gene is survived by his wife, Becky, and their 6 children: Richard Carol Clark of Ocean Shores, WA; Robert Ronna Durtschi of Las Vegas, NV; Suzanne Gary Griggs of Richland, WA; Michael Debra Hanson of Las Vegas, NV; Martin Janet Stanfield of Las Vegas, NV; and Kimberly Doyle Jarman of Pleasant Grove, UT. He is also survived by 4 of his siblings: Dora Wilson, Leora Thomas, Leonard, and David all of the Salt Lake City area. He has a loving extended family of 26 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren and one more on the way, and 1 great-great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents and 4 of his siblings: Wayne, Ruth, Clifford, and Mary Clark; and by two granddaughters, April DeGraw and Arianne Matchett.