Obituary of John Craig, Jr

As written by John Foster Craig, Jr. Born to John Foster Craig and Anne Muir Craig on May 5, 1923 in Kansas City, Missouri. Lived my early years on a ranch 19 miles north of Logan, New Mexico when my father moved the family to Dalhart, Texas in 1925. We lived there until about 1937 but when the Dust Bowl was really bad we moved to Santa Monica, California. Joined and was confirmed as Episcopalian while in Santa Monica and have remained a member all my life. Attended Lincoln Junior High and Santa Monica High School where I graduated in May 1941. I was active on the Swim Team; Lettering 3 years, summer beach lifeguard, and also was Senior Class President. Was accepted at University of Southern California in September 1941. Enlisted in the Naval ROTC at school. I joined Kappa Sigma Fraternity. I flunked a navigation test and was practically on my way to Boot Camp when a Lt. Commander told me he would see that I would be accepted in the Naval Aviation program if I passed all the tests. I had not even had any ideas on that; but I took his idea and was given my wings and communication as an Ensign at Corpus Christi, Texas. Was sent to Banana River Air (now a space center) where we devised how to use radar in the Navy. It was very much a secret and we were not allowed any written notes and we also flew planes for washed out cadets learning to use radar for low level bombing. Was released from the Navy into Reserve status in 1945 and remained on Reserve until 1953. During this time I worked selling real estate in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. In December 1949 my Dad purchased the Ewee Ranch and Lake Ranch southeast of Limon Colorado where my brother William Hay Craig (and wife Martha) and I started with a cow/calf operation and later changed over to a yearling operation. I married Dorothy (Dee) Elizabeth Rae of Marcus, Iowa in November 1951. We had one son, John Foster Craig III, who now runs the family ranch with his wife Beth. Dee and I hosted Mohammad Azizi, an exchange student in 1969, from Afghanistan, who is an anesthesiologist in Atlanta, Georgia. I enjoyed traveling, the stock markets, golf, bridge, and collectibles. I was a member of the Lincoln County Cattlemen’s, Colorado Cattlemen’s and National Cattlemen’s Associations while active in the cattle business. Added by family: He has spent the last thirty years spoiling, entertaining, enjoying, attending activities, and loving his grand kids: Molly Craig, Bill Craig and wife, Natalie, Jake Craig, and Maggie Craig Hackbarth and husband, John. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 17, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Limon, Colorado. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 5600 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Suite 100, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111 or Donor’s Choice. The Love Funeral Home of Limon, Colorado was in charge of arrangements. Please visit our website at www.lovefuneralhomes.com to sign our online guest book or to send the family your message of condolence.