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The celebration of life for Charles W. Craig, 70 year-old Enid resident is Friday, January 7, 2021 at 2:00PM in the Henninger-Hinson Chapel. Deacon Tony Crispo officiating.
Charles “Chuck” Craig died on December 22, 2021, at St Mary’s hospital surrounded in love by his family. Charles Wayne Craig was born November 28, 1951 to Jarvis Craig and Evelyn (Campbell) Craig. Chuck was born and raised in Enid, Oklahoma and graduated from Enid High School in 1970. He finished his college degrees at Northern Oklahoma College and Southern Nazarene University, while being a devoted husband, raising 3 children, and running a full-time business. Of the many accomplishments in his life, the ability to obtain multiple college degrees while balancing family and business commitments was something he was most proud of.
In April, 1970, he enlisted in the United States Army and was medically discharged in October, 1972.
On April 3, 1976 he married Kelly Andrews at St. Francis Church in Enid, Oklahoma. She was the love of his life and he was a devoted and loving husband. The couple had 3 children and Chuck cried tears of joy with the birth of each of their children, and was always proud of his kids and their accomplishments.
Shortly after Chuck married Kelly, he opened his business, Enid Pest Control. Prior to going out on his own, he worked for years with his Dad at Craig Pest Control, where he learned the trade. After several years of successfully running his own business and eventually selling the business, he experimented briefly with retirement before opening his own consulting business and traveling the country as a project manager for several companies. These years of traveling led him to deeply miss his dear Kelly and his children, and eventually led him to a position at Vance Air Force Base in Enid. After working over 5 years at Vance, he made the decision to retire. As someone who always had to be doing something, he continued to work in retirement, by driving a bus for Enid Public Schools. He enjoyed this experience immensely and loved the kids that rode on his bus through the years. He also enjoyed his visits with his Uncle Rex in the mornings when he finished with his bus route.
Outside of being a successful husband, father, and businessman, Chuck had a variety of interests and accomplishments. In his early years, he enjoyed fishing and camping with his Dad and older siblings while his Mom stayed home with his younger siblings. He was very involved in Boy Scouts as a youth, and went on to earn his Eagle Scout Award. He was a Scout Master for both of his sons' troops and helped several young men earn their Eagle Scout awards. He loved Westerns and John Wayne in particular, and passed this love on to his children, which remains to this day. Through the years, Chuck enjoyed traveling with Kelly to many destinations. The family enjoyed spending weekends at their place on Lake Keystone and many fishing trips to Lake Eufaula with his sons, their friends, and his brother-in-law Mike. He and Kelly loved a good game of cards, whether this involved playing pitch with their best friends Terry and Rita, playing rummy and dice games with their kids and kids’ friends, or playing uno and skip-bo with granddaughters. Chuck had a green thumb in his garden and enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with neighbors, co-workers, and his children. Chuck also enjoyed building bird houses or really anything in his shop while listening to music. He loved the many summer days/evening spent swimming with Kelly in their pool. His favorite pool times were spent when his entire family was with him…especially his granddaughters. Some of his lasting memories were spending time in the kitchen and at his grill with his children. His granddaughters will remember his breakfasts most of all, especially “Gumpy’s” french toast with the crusts cut off and a side of bacon.
Chuck had a heart of Gold and was full of love. He was always the first to tell a funny joke and light up the room with his laugh. He found great joy in making people laugh with his jokes and sarcasm. He loved his four granddaughters more than life itself. They affectionately called him “Gumpy” and he made lasting memories with all of them. He was a very proud father and loving husband. He will be greatly missed by all that loved him.
Left to cherish Chuck’s memory is his wife Kelly, his daughter Ashley Fox and her husband Adam, his sons Andrew and his significant other Kelly, Alex and his wife Ashley. His beloved granddaughters, Lillian, Charlie, Stella, and Layla. His five siblings, George (Rossana) Craig, Mary (Mark) Buthman, Charlotte (Michael) Wright, John Craig, and David (Tanya) Craig. His mother-in-law, Bonnie Andrews Booth, his brother-in-law Michael (Donna) Andrews, his best friend Terry (Rita) Ille. Several nieces and nephews that he loved very much, his children’s friends that he loved like his own, and many of his friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jarvis and Evelyn Craig, his father-in-laws James Andrews and Ewell Booth, and his infant grandson, Morgan Craig.
All memorials can be made to Our Daily Bread through Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home.
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