InfoSheet/Obit - Jackie Earl Craig
Died 1 July 2021 - comments - Allcock - Moore
Obituary
IN LOVING MEMORY OF JACKIE EARL CRAIG (JACK) - JANUARY 29, 1944 - JULY 1, 2021
Jackie Earl Craig (Jack) was born on January 29, 1944, in Tucson, Arizona to Mack and Irma Craig. Jack passed away on July 1, 2021, at his home in Phoenix, Arizona.
Jack was a retired Helicopter pilot and Commercial Electrician. He grew up in Ajo, Arizona and he trained to be an electrician in Lubbock, Texas. Jack went on to join the United States Army, where he did 4 years of infantry with the 25th Infantry 3/4 Cavalry D Troop and then re-enlisted to flight school where he trained to fly Cobra Helicopters in Vietnam. He put in almost 10 years with the United States Army.
After returning from Vietnam, he flew helicopters for many years fighting forest and land fires for Forest Service, BLM, and California Division of Forestry and other jobs USGS, etc. The last 10 years or so of his flying, he flew tours at the Grand Canyon. His passion in life was flying and he loved his helicopters.
He was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and was dedicated to helping his "family" of brothers by being Welfare Officer and helping homeless vets, the ones in the Community Living Center at the VA Hospital.
He is preceded in death by his father Mack M. Craig and mother Irma Sigman, 2 sons Douglas Craig of Lubbock, TX and Richard Craig of Phoenix, AZ. He leaves behind his wife Alison, children Jackie Craig of Phoenix, AZ, Michelle Cunningham of Lubbock, TX, Jackie Craig of Lubbock, TX, Joe Craig of TX and Carol Decker of Morenci, AZ, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Comments:
From Allen "KC" Allcock: I was finally able to get thru to Alison Craig via Land Line phone. On the day of his death, Jack had gone to the VA for PT (physical therapy). Jack had been suffering from failures in his physical strength, and earlier this year had recently had pneumonia and was beginning to bounce back in his strength. Also, in recent time of the past couple years, had to have a kidney removed because of a tumor, and now also had the other kidney beginning to fail.
Apparently Jack had driven home from the VA in his pickup and was going to go into the house when his death occurred. The P.U. door was ajar, and his keys were lying on the ground by the pickup where he apparently dropped them. When Allison came home from work, she found him laying in the seat of the P.U. Paramedics were summoned, but he was already deceased. Allison informed me that the First Responders said that there was no sign of any physical struggle, but he apparently had a "sudden illness" and passed away.
All of us who knew CPT Jack E. Craig will remember him for his heroic efforts in Vietnam when he landed his Cobra to run and assist the rescue efforts of another team Cobra which had crashed. I will remember him because of the personal contact I often had with him as he assumed duties in Operations while his broken leg healed from the injury he received that day in which he was involved with that rescue effort. Jack also was involved that day I suffered my shoulder injury and helped put it back in place. As I have stated before, He was a quiet man, a stern man, a good officer, and a great pilot.
Jack, my friend, R.I,P. "And may you be found in the Presence of God! ... KC
From John Moore: Attended Jack's funeral today (14 Jul 2021) at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on Cave Creek Rd. Beautiful cemetery! Took some photos. Alison seemed genuinely touched that some unit members attended. 5 Troopers were at the service. Richard McQuagge HHT, Warren Yeagley A Trp, Jim Zimmerman A Trp, Dan Cook B Trp, & me. All knew Jack from sour reunions and AZ MOPH (Military Order of the Purple Heart). Jack was the MOPH Department Welfare Officer for Arizona and did many hours of work for homeless veterans and veterans needing all types of assistance.