James R. “Jim” Craig, age 88, passed away on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born on May 30, 1923, in Noblesville to Sydney P. and Kathryn (Cowden) Craig, Sr. and was a Pendleton resident since 1934.
Jim graduated from Westtown, Pa., Friends School in 1941 and Purdue University in 1947. He married Patricia Lee Carroll on Oct. 21, 1944.
Jim served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II on Iwo Jima.
He was the owner/manager of Pendleton Lumber Company from 1947 until 1960; employed at Pendleton Savings and Loan from 1960 until 1978; and was a real estate broker from 1978 until 2000. Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Pendleton and was very active in many civic groups and activities including the Boy Scouts of America; Pendleton Junior Baseball League Umpire; Madison County Community Foundation; South Madison Community Foundation; the 1964 School Reorganization; Salvation Army- life member; Kettle Drive for 25 years; Pendleton Lions Club; volunteer at St. John’s Hospital; founder of Pendleton Swim Club; US Swimming Official; Pendleton Chamber of Commerce; and Pendleton Planning Commission.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Patricia L. (Carroll) Craig; children, Tim (Ana) Craig of Kyoto, Japan, Pete Craig, Katy (John) Graham Burke, Annie (Steve) Wills, Sally (Tom) Childress and Tom (Tracy) Craig, all of Pendleton; grandchildren, Danny Craig, Emily Craig Yu, Charlie McCord, Jenny McCord Herman, Jimmy Wills, Becca Wills Harbert, Tammy French, Brian Burke, Heather Chandler, Clint Childress, Elizabeth Childress, Jacob Childress, Ryan Cauley, Matt Cauley, Morgan Craig, and Molly Craig; eight great-grandchildren; and Marine comrades and special friends, Wendell Trent and Ed Cavalini.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Joseph M. Graham; great-grandson, Max Garrett McCord; and brother, Sydney P. Craig, Jr.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, at First United Methodist Church, 225 W. State St., Pendleton, with Pastor Doug Walker officiating. A visitation was held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory, Lahm Chapel, 211 E. State St., Pendleton.
Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army, 1615 Meridian St., Anderson, IN 46016 or South Madison Community Foundation, 233 S. Main St., Pendleton, IN 46064.
Online condolences available at www.wilsonstpierre.com
