Vance "Doral" Graff
1927 - 2017
Early Life: Doral was born April 7, 1927, in Provo, Utah, to Chester and Winnie Malinda Terry Graff. His family moved to Idaho and soon returned to south Orem where Doral was raised on a fruit orchard, stretching for blocks in all directions. From the days of his early youth and through his teenage years, the orchards became a profound part of Doral’s life.
Life’s Work | Service | Interests: Doral served in the Merchant Marines during the World War II defending our country and the freedoms we enjoy. He then served a full-time mission to the Eastern Canadian Mission from 1947 to 1949. Following his mission, he worked briefly as a clerk at Geneva Steel and attended Brigham Young University. He ultimately took a job with the U.S. Post Office in Orem, Utah, where he worked as a mail carrier for 38 years. In this capacity, he became a familiar face throughout Orem and came to know many of its residents. Doral met Afton Finch, the love of his life and his eternal sweetheart, while growing up in Orem. They were schoolmates at Lincoln High School and corresponded while Doral served in the military and on his mission. When he returned from his mission, they were married and sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on August 15, 1949. Doral’s service as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints included his full-time mission, and multiple callings in his ward, including ward clerk. After retirement, he served as a church welfare missionary at the Bishop’s Storehouse in Lindon. He enjoyed assisting in the temporal needs of those he served. Doral passed away with a strong testimony of the LDS Church and a love for his Savior, Jesus Christ. In addition to his work as a mail carrier, Doral could always be found in his orchards, carrying on the tradition of his father: pruning the trees, irrigating the fields, and harvesting the fruit. This is where his children and many of his grandchildren learned about hard work and the dedication required in order to accomplish difficult tasks. In the orchard, lessons were taught about sacrifice, service and love. However, Doral truly considered his most important harvest to be that of his children and grandchildren. Vance "Doral" Graff, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend, peacefully left this mortal life on November 25, 2017, surrounded by his wife and children.
Survived By: His loving wife of 68 years, Afton; his seven children: Raina Joy (Gene) Boxx, Diane (Jack) Pippin, Lori (Sam) Robinson, Sandra (Stephen) Clayson, Mike (Terri) Graff, Jeff (Debbie) Graff, Carla (Craig) Bennett; thirty-two grandchildren and forty-eight great-grandchildren with two on the way.
Preceded In Death By: His parents; his siblings: Wesley, Montel, Verus and Stanley.
Services: Lakeridge 4th Ward Chapel
Burial: Orem City Cemetery
Original Obituary Published By:
© Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary| Nov 2017
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
1927 - 2017
Early Life: Doral was born April 7, 1927, in Provo, Utah, to Chester and Winnie Malinda Terry Graff. His family moved to Idaho and soon returned to south Orem where Doral was raised on a fruit orchard, stretching for blocks in all directions. From the days of his early youth and through his teenage years, the orchards became a profound part of Doral’s life.
Life’s Work | Service | Interests: Doral served in the Merchant Marines during the World War II defending our country and the freedoms we enjoy. He then served a full-time mission to the Eastern Canadian Mission from 1947 to 1949. Following his mission, he worked briefly as a clerk at Geneva Steel and attended Brigham Young University. He ultimately took a job with the U.S. Post Office in Orem, Utah, where he worked as a mail carrier for 38 years. In this capacity, he became a familiar face throughout Orem and came to know many of its residents. Doral met Afton Finch, the love of his life and his eternal sweetheart, while growing up in Orem. They were schoolmates at Lincoln High School and corresponded while Doral served in the military and on his mission. When he returned from his mission, they were married and sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on August 15, 1949. Doral’s service as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints included his full-time mission, and multiple callings in his ward, including ward clerk. After retirement, he served as a church welfare missionary at the Bishop’s Storehouse in Lindon. He enjoyed assisting in the temporal needs of those he served. Doral passed away with a strong testimony of the LDS Church and a love for his Savior, Jesus Christ. In addition to his work as a mail carrier, Doral could always be found in his orchards, carrying on the tradition of his father: pruning the trees, irrigating the fields, and harvesting the fruit. This is where his children and many of his grandchildren learned about hard work and the dedication required in order to accomplish difficult tasks. In the orchard, lessons were taught about sacrifice, service and love. However, Doral truly considered his most important harvest to be that of his children and grandchildren. Vance "Doral" Graff, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend, peacefully left this mortal life on November 25, 2017, surrounded by his wife and children.
Survived By: His loving wife of 68 years, Afton; his seven children: Raina Joy (Gene) Boxx, Diane (Jack) Pippin, Lori (Sam) Robinson, Sandra (Stephen) Clayson, Mike (Terri) Graff, Jeff (Debbie) Graff, Carla (Craig) Bennett; thirty-two grandchildren and forty-eight great-grandchildren with two on the way.
Preceded In Death By: His parents; his siblings: Wesley, Montel, Verus and Stanley.
Services: Lakeridge 4th Ward Chapel
Burial: Orem City Cemetery
Original Obituary Published By:
© Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary| Nov 2017
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
Vance "Doral" Graff
1927 - 2017
Early Life: Doral was born April 7, 1927, in Provo, Utah, to Chester and Winnie Malinda Terry Graff. His family moved to Idaho and soon returned to south Orem where Doral was raised on a fruit orchard, stretching for blocks in all directions. From the days of his early youth and through his teenage years, the orchards became a profound part of Doral’s life.
Life’s Work | Service | Interests: Doral served in the Merchant Marines during the World War II defending our country and the freedoms we enjoy. He then served a full-time mission to the Eastern Canadian Mission from 1947 to 1949. Following his mission, he worked briefly as a clerk at Geneva Steel and attended Brigham Young University. He ultimately took a job with the U.S. Post Office in Orem, Utah, where he worked as a mail carrier for 38 years. In this capacity, he became a familiar face throughout Orem and came to know many of its residents. Doral met Afton Finch, the love of his life and his eternal sweetheart, while growing up in Orem. They were schoolmates at Lincoln High School and corresponded while Doral served in the military and on his mission. When he returned from his mission, they were married and sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on August 15, 1949. Doral’s service as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints included his full-time mission, and multiple callings in his ward, including ward clerk. After retirement, he served as a church welfare missionary at the Bishop’s Storehouse in Lindon. He enjoyed assisting in the temporal needs of those he served. Doral passed away with a strong testimony of the LDS Church and a love for his Savior, Jesus Christ. In addition to his work as a mail carrier, Doral could always be found in his orchards, carrying on the tradition of his father: pruning the trees, irrigating the fields, and harvesting the fruit. This is where his children and many of his grandchildren learned about hard work and the dedication required in order to accomplish difficult tasks. In the orchard, lessons were taught about sacrifice, service and love. However, Doral truly considered his most important harvest to be that of his children and grandchildren. Vance "Doral" Graff, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend, peacefully left this mortal life on November 25, 2017, surrounded by his wife and children.
Survived By: His loving wife of 68 years, Afton; his seven children: Raina Joy (Gene) Boxx, Diane (Jack) Pippin, Lori (Sam) Robinson, Sandra (Stephen) Clayson, Mike (Terri) Graff, Jeff (Debbie) Graff, Carla (Craig) Bennett; thirty-two grandchildren and forty-eight great-grandchildren with two on the way.
Preceded In Death By: His parents; his siblings: Wesley, Montel, Verus and Stanley.
Services: Lakeridge 4th Ward Chapel
Burial: Orem City Cemetery
Original Obituary Published By:
© Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary| Nov 2017
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
1927 - 2017
Early Life: Doral was born April 7, 1927, in Provo, Utah, to Chester and Winnie Malinda Terry Graff. His family moved to Idaho and soon returned to south Orem where Doral was raised on a fruit orchard, stretching for blocks in all directions. From the days of his early youth and through his teenage years, the orchards became a profound part of Doral’s life.
Life’s Work | Service | Interests: Doral served in the Merchant Marines during the World War II defending our country and the freedoms we enjoy. He then served a full-time mission to the Eastern Canadian Mission from 1947 to 1949. Following his mission, he worked briefly as a clerk at Geneva Steel and attended Brigham Young University. He ultimately took a job with the U.S. Post Office in Orem, Utah, where he worked as a mail carrier for 38 years. In this capacity, he became a familiar face throughout Orem and came to know many of its residents. Doral met Afton Finch, the love of his life and his eternal sweetheart, while growing up in Orem. They were schoolmates at Lincoln High School and corresponded while Doral served in the military and on his mission. When he returned from his mission, they were married and sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on August 15, 1949. Doral’s service as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints included his full-time mission, and multiple callings in his ward, including ward clerk. After retirement, he served as a church welfare missionary at the Bishop’s Storehouse in Lindon. He enjoyed assisting in the temporal needs of those he served. Doral passed away with a strong testimony of the LDS Church and a love for his Savior, Jesus Christ. In addition to his work as a mail carrier, Doral could always be found in his orchards, carrying on the tradition of his father: pruning the trees, irrigating the fields, and harvesting the fruit. This is where his children and many of his grandchildren learned about hard work and the dedication required in order to accomplish difficult tasks. In the orchard, lessons were taught about sacrifice, service and love. However, Doral truly considered his most important harvest to be that of his children and grandchildren. Vance "Doral" Graff, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend, peacefully left this mortal life on November 25, 2017, surrounded by his wife and children.
Survived By: His loving wife of 68 years, Afton; his seven children: Raina Joy (Gene) Boxx, Diane (Jack) Pippin, Lori (Sam) Robinson, Sandra (Stephen) Clayson, Mike (Terri) Graff, Jeff (Debbie) Graff, Carla (Craig) Bennett; thirty-two grandchildren and forty-eight great-grandchildren with two on the way.
Preceded In Death By: His parents; his siblings: Wesley, Montel, Verus and Stanley.
Services: Lakeridge 4th Ward Chapel
Burial: Orem City Cemetery
Original Obituary Published By:
© Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary| Nov 2017
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
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