Kenneth E Craig

Kenneth Earl Craig, 87 years of age, and the youngest of seven children born November 27, 1929 to Fred and Myrtle Craig went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday August 22, 2017. He was born at home in a farmhouse located at Christie, Oklahoma in Adair County, just as all his older siblings had been. Being raised during his younger life in and around the Eldon area, he moved to Tahlequah with his family in the early 40’s and graduated from Tahlequah High School with the class of 1947. Kenneth liked and played all sports, lettering in football and basketball for the Tigers. Basketball was his favorite and the one he excelled in as a “shooting guard” with tenacious defensive habits. His basketball skills were surely acquired early on in life while playing ball with his friends and team mates at the one room Slate Bluff Schoolhouse located near Proctor, OK. In the spring of 1949, Kenneth married his loving wife of 64 years, Lois (Fritts) Craig. They moved to Stillwater, OK following available employment in the building trades of masonry. He mixed many batches of mortar for blocks laid in buildings located on the campus of Oklahoma A&M. The first of two sons, Ron, was born while in Stillwater. Again following work, Kenneth brought his new family to Muskogee, where his second son, Dale, was born. He started working for Carnation Milk Co where he was a dedicated hard worker for 22 years until the plant closed. After a short time with Acme Mfg Co, he was hired at Brockway Glass Plant and eventually retired in 1992. Until his health diminished he would go to the Muskogee mall for his daily walk and talk session with his friends at the “Knights of the Round Table.” In the spring of 1953, Kenneth and his family joined Eastern Heights Baptist Church. He was a loyal servant of the Lord and Deacon of the church. If the church doors were open he was there faithfully praising and serving his Lord and Savior. He always tried to be available if anyone was in need, placing their needs before his. Kenneth was a good husband and father, always providing what was needed and not necessarily what was wanted; a trait he learned by being raised poor during the depression years. He always had the time to practice ball with his boys and very seldom missed one of their games. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Lois; four brothers, Thurman Craig, Lewie Craig, Cecil Craig, and Derwood Craig. He is survived by his two sisters, Geraldine McCaslin of Torrance, CA and Callie Walter of Mesa, AZ; sons, Ron and wife Susan of Colorado Springs, CO, Dale and wife Nancy of Muskogee, OK; grandchildren, Dana of North Pole, AK, Shannon of Ft Gibson, OK, Jennifer of Ft. Gibson, OK, Jeff of Colorado Springs, CO, Kerrie of Bow, WA, and Christina of Colorado Springs, CO; 11 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews; a host of close friends from his church family; along with all the staff of caregivers from Eastgate Village and Hometown Hospice of which are too many to name. They provided comfort care in the later days of his life. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Eastern Heights Baptist Church for the “Kid’s Backpack Program”, 2401 Haskell Blvd, Muskogee, OK, 74403. The family will receive friends from 3:30-5PM, Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Cornerstone Funeral Home. Funeral services celebrating Kenneth’s life will be 10AM, Monday, August 28, 2017 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Darren Wallace officiating. Interment will follow at Tahlequah City Cemetery with Bob Craig, Brad Craig, Larry Hill, Mark Hill, Zach Adams, and Denny Fritts serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the “Arrowhead Mall Knights of the Round Table.”

Kenneth E Craig

November 27, 1929 - August 22, 2017