Kristen Marie Spradling-Raymond

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Kristen Marie Spradling-Raymond.

Kristen (Kris) was born on September 16, 1984, in Tillamook, Oregon. She was raised by her father, Mark, who at the time was completing his degree in chemical engineering at Oregon State University.

As a child, Kris loved riding her little white bike, playing with friends, and camping on the coast or at Silver Falls in her dad’s VW van. In 1994, Kris and her dad moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she attended Ladd Middle School and Lathrop High School. During high school, she learned Spanish and developed a love for snowboarding.

After graduating, she began working at Jaybirds Wings and Kodiak Jacks. Around that time, Kris also rebuilt the motor in her Chevy Silverado—with help from friends and her father—showing early on her determination and independent spirit.

Kris met her future husband, Stephan, in June of 2006 when he stopped in Fairbanks with his unit on their way home from deployment. Later that year, she took a leap of faith and accepted an invitation to attend the Marine Corps Ball with him in San Diego. This marked the beginning of a long-distance relationship that continued after Stephan was discharged from the Marine Corps and returned to Salt Lake City, Utah.

In early 2007, Kris and Stephan reunited in San Diego and road-tripped to San Francisco—a trip during which they fell in love. In January 2008, Kris packed up her truck and, with a heavy heart, left behind many dear friends, including her best friend Hanna, to move to Utah and be closer to Stephan.

Kris was passionate about learning and continued her education after arriving in Utah, attending Salt Lake Community College and later earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah.

She began working at Rio Tinto in 2010 as a warehouse associate. Through dedication and hard work, she advanced to the role of inventory advisor/analyst. True to her independent nature, Kris balanced her career with being an incredible wife and mother.

Kris and Stephan were married on August 7, 2010. She became a mother with the birth of her first son, Raleigh Varrick Raymond, on July 24, 2015. Her second son, Vinson Stephan Raymond, was born on December 12, 2017. Kris was the most loving and devoted mother, cherishing her boys beyond measure. As they grew and became passionate about baseball, Kris was their biggest fan—never missing a game and always cheering them on through the backstop.

Kristen, you are the love of my life. The boys and I are going to miss you deeply. We will always carry you in our hearts. Please know how much we love you. Watch over us and help guide us.

I love you, babe.