Terry Sylvester DeGraw, 87, of Salem, Utah, passed away on the morning of Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at his daughter’s home in Delta, Utah. He was born December 25, 1933, in Payson, Utah, to Loren (Bus) DeGraw and Sarah (Sadie) Terry DeGraw, the second of their nine children. His siblings were Ellie, Curtis, Louise, Lloyd, Ronald, LaDean, LuJean, and Gary. Terry grew up in Payson, Utah, graduating from Payson High School.
He married Louise Mattinson on May 20, 1955, in Payson, Utah. They were later sealed for time and eternity in the Provo Utah LDS Temple. They had two children: Mark and Cindy. Louise preceded him in death, from cancer, in 1999.
After high school, Terry worked at a mine in Ruby, Nevada; then worked at the Tooele (Utah) Army Depot; and Ironton Works of U.S. Steel in Springville, Utah. Most of his working days were at Geneva U.S. Steel in Vineyard, Utah, where he retired as a railroad conductor after 35 years. Not one to stay idle, he worked after retirement for Payson City and also as a janitor for Nebo School District.
Terry married Carol Bahr Wood on March 8, 2000, at the Provo Utah LDS Temple, adding her children: Michael, Russell, Michelle, and Tammi to his family.
He was a valiant member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in many callings; his favorite, that of being home teacher. He also served a Farm Service Mission in Elberta, Utah.
He always loved horses, especially Thoroughbred race horses . He was a founding member of the Payson Horse Racing Association, and the Cockleburr Riding Club. He enjoyed raising and training Thoroughbred race horses, traveling with them to races in the western states where he made many long-lasting friends. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping, and riding his four-wheelers. He was a great conversationalist, loving to visit with everyone. As much as he loved his horses and other hobbies, his first and foremost love was for his family. He enjoyed spending as much time as possible with them.
Terry is survived by his wife, Carol; and his children: Mark (Pamela) DeGraw of Payson, Utah; Cindy (Bob) Shepherd of Delta, Utah; his step-children: Michael (Shannon) Wood of Salem, Utah; Russell (Wendy) Wood of Salem, Utah; Michelle (Clyde) McKean of Salem, Utah; and Tammi (Steve) Campbell of Omaha, Nebraska. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; and by two brothers: Ronald and Gary; three sisters: Louise Wilson, LuDean Smith, and LuJean Draper. He is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings: Curtis DeGraw, Lloyd DeGraw, and Ellie Brailsford; his first wife, Louise; a granddaughter, Taylor McKean; and a great-granddaughter, Ruby Warburton.
Visitation for family and friends of Terry will be Sunday evening, June 6, 2021, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah 84651. Another visitation will be Monday morning, June 7, 2021, at the Salem 9th Ward LDS Church, 60 South Main, Salem, Utah, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. followed by a funeral service at the chapel at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Payson City Cemetery.
There will be a livestream of the service available Monday, June 7, 2021 at 11 a.m. The livestream will not have a playback option, so it will need to be watched live. https://zoom.us/j/97886428838?pwd=NzdwN2hLSEV1cFgwUndRNVhpaUM1dz09#success
The Passcode is: Terry
15 Condolences for Terry S. DeGraw
Condolences(15)
Kathryn (DeGraw) Thayne says
June 3, 2021 at 2:57 amOur condolences to Uncle Terry’s wife, children and grandchildren.
Angela & Devin Marshall says
June 3, 2021 at 4:57 amDeepest condolences to the Shepherd and DeGraw families. Terry was so kind and always had a smile on his face every time I ran into him. He will truly be missed. What a great reunion he is having in heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all through this difficult time.
Mark DeGraw says
June 5, 2021 at 2:50 amThank you so much for your kind words.
Robbie Ercanbrack says
June 3, 2021 at 12:21 pmMark and family. I just want to say how sorry I’m to here your Dad. Had passed He was always kind to me when we was really young. I remember all the times we spent at the race track in the years. He was a good man and your mother also. Again I’m sorry for your loss.
Doty Family says
June 3, 2021 at 3:24 pmMike, Shannon and Family.
Very sorry Grandpa Terry has moved along to a new adventure. I know he did not make the decision lightly and leaving any person he loves was a tough decision.
I remember a smiling, cheery person at each of out meeting.
Love you all and our sincere condolences.
Doty Family says
June 3, 2021 at 3:25 pmMike, Shannon and Family.
Very sorry Grandpa Terry has moved along to a new adventure. I know he did not make the decision lightly and leaving any person he loves was a tough decision.
I remember a smiling, cheery person at each of out meeting.
Love you all and our sincere condolences.
Melanie Patten says
June 4, 2021 at 4:07 amOur thoughts and prayers go out to you Carol and your family. He was a great guy. Lonnie and I loved coming to your home and visiting with both of you. Our love goes out to you. Lonnie and Melanie Patten.
Van Ausdals says
June 4, 2021 at 2:12 pmTerry was our home teacher for several years. Our family loved to have him come. Our teenagers looked forward to his visits, now that is a good home teacher. We all loved Terry’s stories. His testimony of his Savior and his love ❤️ of the gospel left a lasting impression on us all. He will be greatly missed by our family.
The Van Ausdals
Cindy Shepherd says
June 18, 2021 at 4:58 amThank you for your kind words. Dad loved to go home teaching and the families he went to.
Kathleen Crane Lewis says
June 6, 2021 at 9:34 pmI shall try agin to leave my empathy to Mark and Cindy! I am so very very sorry to hear about your dear dad. He was such an AMAZING and CARING neighbor to us and especially to our cute mom after we left home. We shall be FOREVER GRATEFUL to him and your sweet mom!❤️❤️❤️ I plan to watch the service on zoom. 👍
Steve and Donna Crane says
June 7, 2021 at 12:22 amI am so sad to know of Terry’s passing. He and Louise were the most wonderful, loving, and caring neighbors to my mother, Wilma Crane. We always felt more comfortable with Mom being alone, knowing that the DeGraw’s were across the street watching out for her. In fact, one beautiful November day, Mom was caring for her flowers and just laid down on the grass and died. Louise saw it happen and called the ambulance, but it was too late. She then called my wife, Donna, who passed the message along to me. It was so comforting to know that Mom did not lie there long before Louise and Terry were there.
Donna and Steve Crane says
June 7, 2021 at 6:52 pmWe watched the funeral on Zoom. What a sweet funeral. We were happy to be able to hear all the remembrances of Terry. We know you will miss him….
Don Seat says
June 7, 2021 at 7:33 pmI am so sorry for your loss, may the comfort of God be with you all at this difficult time…
Erika Richan says
June 10, 2021 at 4:44 amI am so sorry for your loss. May the Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ bring peace and solace to your hearts.
Michele Hogan Anderson says
June 10, 2021 at 10:44 amSorry for your loss. The DeGraw family is such a kind and giving family. May your memories of your father last a good long time. Wayne and Michele A
Send Flowers
Sympathy Arrangements
Wreaths and Standing Arrangements
Casket and Family Flowers
Print Obituary
Walker Funeral Home
Spanish Fork Mortuary
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Payson Mortuary
Payson, UT 84651
Follow Us On Social
Subscribe to Receive
Obituaries
Copyright 2026 © All rights reserved. Walker Funeral Home by Mountain Media
(801) 798-2169Payson
(801) 465-3846