John Paul Kraczek

Our loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend left this life in pursuit of the next.

John Paul was a first-generation American, born on April 2, 1936, in Milwaukee, WI, to loving parents John Frank Kraczek and Julia Katherine Kubic Kraczek. Both of his parents were born in Poland. He had a sister, Carolyn, who passed away in infancy, and a brother, Stan, his lifelong friend.

In 1963, John Paul married the love of his life, Marilyn Rose McNiel, in the Salt Lake Temple, and they began a life of adventure and love together. To this union were born John Troy (Renee), Jane, Jeff, Jennifer, and Chris (Lisa), and later came grandchildren: John Arthur (Kimberlee), Trenton (Chloe), Landon, Chelsie (Mat), Chandrelyn (Garth), Talmage, Lillian, Alex, Sabine, Shayne (Whitney), Justin, Colt, Nathan, and Carl, with honorary grandchildren: Gavin, Kira, Austin, Ana (Derek), and Daniela, and great-grandchildren: Jayden, Addie, Charlie, John Gary, Emmet, Reese, Cameron, Madison, and Elizabeth. There are three more great-grandchildren on the way. John Paul was also a coach for dozens of Special Olympic athletes.

John Paul joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his mid-twenties, dedicating his life and serving in many callings, including a mission as a temple square host with Marilyn and their daughter Jennifer.

He is famous among family and friends for his willingness to share his testimony and the story of his conversion with anyone, anywhere, anytime. He is also famous for rescuing his children and grandchildren with car problems no matter the hour or distance away. He lived a life of service—often simple and small, sometimes life-changing acts of kindness.

He was an accomplished writer, director, and stage actor, as well as a high school teacher, college teacher, professional technical writer, and certified auditor. John Paul had significant academic accomplishments, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, a master’s degree in automotive engineering, a master’s degree in theater, and a doctorate in playwriting.

John Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Carolyn, his exemplary grandparents, and many wonderful uncles and aunts. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Rose McNiel Kraczek, his five children, their spouses, sixteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank their wonderful hospice nurses, the Farmington fire department, neighbors, and ward members for their love and caring support of John Paul and our family over the last few months.

A viewing will be held Friday, October 25, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Farmington Mortuary. The services will be held on Saturday, October 26, at the Steed Creek Chapel, located at 347 S 200 W, Farmington, UT. The viewing will be from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., and the funeral service at 10:30 a.m.

The funeral service will be streamed live on the Facebook page "Russon Mortuary Live" and on this obituary page. The livestream will appear 10-15 minutes prior to the service. 

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to Special Olympics Utah, which can be done at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/wvserm5v