David Stanley Kragthorpe

Dave Kragthorpe will be remembered for his impact as a football coach and a legacy of devotion to his family, friends, church and school.

His life of 93 years was framed by his role as a servant and leader of four generations of Kragthorpes, concluding with a move to Texas to be near his two great-granddaughters.

David Stanley Kragthorpe was born May 1, 1933, in Mound, Minnesota, as the youngest of seven children of Jalmer and Emma Kragthorpe. He died Aug. 23, 2026, in Montgomery, Texas.

He is survived by Barbara Kragthorpe, his wife of nearly 68 years; a son, Kurt David (Sandra) Kragthorpe; grandsons Christopher (Alicia), Bradley (Maggie) and Nikolas Kragthorpe; and great-granddaughters Charlotte and Faith Kragthorpe.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Muriel and Mary; brothers James, Maynard, Arthur and Ronald; and a son, Steven Jon Kragthorpe.

As a football coach, Dave was known for expertly coaching offensive linemen and developing the pass-protection schemes for offenses that broke records and improved the programs of BYU, Idaho State and Oregon State. BYU became a perennial conference champion under LaVell Edwards, Dave’s college teammate. ISU won the 1981 Division I-AA national championship in his second season, after he inherited a 16-game losing streak. In his OSU tenure, he was named the 1989 Pac-10 Coach of the Year. The Beavers upset Washington as 38-point underdogs, went 4-0 vs.Cal, and beat BYU in his return to Provo.

Beyond those achievements, Dave will forever be known for the way he bonded with people. A rotating cast held the unofficial title of his No.3 son (with occasional promotions to the top two). Even while adhering to his own Lutheran beliefs, he may have been BYU’s most popular athletic department staff member in the 1970s, with friends among coaches in almost every sport. He was undoubtedly the all-time favorite football coach among administrative assistants working throughout Oregon State’s Gill Coliseum in the ‘80s, because he paid attention to them.

And if you were randomly paired with him for a round of golf, you could expect to be telling him your entire life story as he walked with you along the fairways.

As he raised his sons, no father’s approval ever was more eagerly sought or more easily given. The same is true of the generations that have followed. His unconditional love has been returned in the form of some extraordinary help during the last phase of his life.

Dave was a star multisport athlete at Mound High School and followed his football coach, Cal Stoll, to Utah State University in 1951. He would remain a loyal Aggie for 75 years. USU’s annual cost of tuition was about $150. Dave, with Barbara’s full support, would be determined to exponentially pay for his scholarship for the rest of his life, through contributions and service to USU, including Alumni Association staff work. He received a Distinguished Alumnus Award and was inducted into the USU Athletics Hall of Fame.

As an All-Skyline Conference offensive tackle, he was drafted by the New York Giants of the NFL in 1955. During training camp, a defensive coach named Vince Lombardi asked Dave if he had ever played linebacker. If he had not answered truthfully, he may have successfully switched positions and made the team, but the Swedish mother’s voice in his head gave him no choice.

After a U.S. Navy stint, he returned to USU as a graduate assistant coach and met the former Barbara Ann Barnson, beginning a remarkable partnership that would take them to Michigan, Oregon and many points in between during his coaching travels.

Dave was the head coach of three college programs for a total of 10 seasons, while his true joy was coaching offensive linemen. Their job description fit his personality of taking great pride in his work, filling a valuable role and not being concerned about recognition.

Thanks to involvement with his son Steve at Tulsa and Louisville and Matt Wells at USU, his association with college football spanned nearly 70 years. In those settings, he described his role as “speaking when I’m spoken to.” But when asked, he was always ready to offer suggestions. His advice will resonate for a long time, with a lot of people.

The family wishes to thank Dave’s former players, coaching colleagues and members of the communities where he lived and worked for the outpouring of tributes to him in recent days. If anything, we may have underestimated his impact.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Allen-Hall Mortuary 34 E Center, Logan.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.