Jack R Craig

Jack Ray Craig, the son of Ray and Hazel (Phifer) Craig, was born October 29, 1937, in Smith County, Kansas. He departed this life on Friday, March 24, 2023, at the Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, Kansas at the age of 85 years, 4 months and 25 days.

A lifelong resident of Smith County, Jack received his formal education attending the Cora rural school, the Smith Center High School and then to be with his childhood friends, he finished at the Lebanon High School. He was united in marriage with Sally J. Crocker on April 7, 1957, in Smith County. This union was blessed with a son, Curtis, in 1962. A veteran of the United States Army, he enlisted in the National Guard in 1960, and received a number of accommodations including badges for expert marksman in both rifle and carbine. He was discharged from service in 1966.

They made their home on the farm in the Cora community until 2004, when they moved into Smith Center to live. Jack possessed a number of interests and activities in his leisure time. His lifelong passion was for the farm. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting and going to every car race he could. He also looked forward to time spent at Alta visiting with his friends and neighbors talking about school days, coon hunting with the dogs, racing and days spent in the military.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Sally, on May 18, 2015; and a sister, Veda Fern Pennington.

Left to treasure his memory are his son, Curtis Craig and friend Emile Schamp of Smith Center, Kansas; sister-in-law, Connie Lumpkin and children Sarah and Tim, nieces and nephews, Robert and Connie Pennington, and Larry and Marsha Pennington, other relatives and friends.

Graveside services with military honors will be Saturday, 11:00 am, April 1, 2023, at the Fairview Cemetery in Smith Center, Kansas with the Rev. Laura Fricker officiating.

Visitation will be Friday, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone  402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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