Craig Howard Westbrook

1954 – 2025

Craig Howard Westbrook, 71, of Yakima, WA, moved from this life into the next early Christmas morning, December 25, 2025, at MultiCare Memorial Hospital. He passed away following an extremely brief battle with aggressive liver cancer, with his wife holding his hand.

Craig was born August 4, 1954, in Billings, MT, to the late Howard Dale and Shirley Elithe (Fuller) Westbrook. He moved to Burien, WA (a suburb of Seattle) in 1960, and later moved to Yakima in 1970, where he graduated from Davis High School in 1972. Craig attended Yakima Valley Community College for two years before attending Central Washington University, where he studied as a vocal music major. He put his studies on hold to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Mission, Spanish speaking, from 1976 to 1978. On July 14, 1979, he married the love of his life, Marie Adams, in the Mesa Arizona Temple.

A man of unwavering faith and an exceptional work ethic, Craig worked until the very day before his passing. Throughout his life, he held many roles, most notably in sales. He found great joy in his semi-retirement while delivering paint for Sherwin-Williams. Craig never met a person he wouldn't help and used his gift of humor and storytelling to connect with and uplift everyone he met (whether they had heard the story before or not).

Craig’s soul was filled with music. He had a beautiful singing voice and loved performing in solos, small groups, and choirs. For many years, he served as the chorister at his church, sharing his testimony through song. In a final, tender mercy, he was able to sing for his church’s Christmas program just days before he passed. He also loved the outdoors, especially camping and canoeing on the lake with his family.

Craig is survived by his wife of 46 years, Marie; five children: Anthony of Seattle, WA; Alicia (Eli) Jakeman of Richland, WA; Nathan (Natalie) Westbrook of Clarksville, TN; Natalie Defoe of Yakima, WA; and Janae (Josiah “JJ”) Williams of Kennewick, WA. He leaves a legacy of 10 grandchildren—Penelope, Brysen, Asher, Darius, Ezra, Tessi, Rowenna, Aurelia, Beatrice, and Crespin—with another granddaughter, Celeste, on the way. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law Frank Wingerter, Steve Adams, Richard (Karen) Adams, Jerry Adams, Louis (Charlene) Adams, and Dee (Casie) Adams; his sister-in-law, LeiLani (Mike) Billings; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Gayle Wingerter; his in-laws, Melvin and Gaye Adams; and his grandson, Samuel Ellis Hall Jakeman.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, at 11:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 705 S 38th Ave, Yakima, WA. Visitation will be held at 10:00 am until the time of the service. Interment will follow at Tahoma Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to friends and family who have reached out and supported them during this difficult time, and to Dan Williams at Keith & Keith for always being there to support them.

For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom link is available: https://zoom.us/j/9608977928.