Harold Thomas Craig

Harold Thomas Craig, age 92, passed away with his family by his side in Murrieta, California on September 22, 2014. He was born on January 2, 1922 in Dalton City, Illinois, son of his late parents Harley and Mae Craig. He faithfully served our country as a member of the US Marine Corps, rank of Master Sergeant of VMR 253, Marine Air Group 21, Fleet Marine Force in the South Pacific in Guam. He was a territory sales manager for many years in the food industry. Harold is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Juanita Ruth Craig, sons Allen Craig, Ronald Craig and Robert Craig, as well as his grandchildren and many other family members and friends. He and Juanita are blessed with six grandchildren: Ryan, Austin, Allen T., Jennifer, Kimberly and Kendal; and six great-grandchildren: Jesse, Jillian, Jenna, Cody, Mackenzie, and Eden. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Russell. Harold had a long, loved and successful life. He was a graduate of Sullivan High School, Sullivan, IL and later extended his education with Brown's Business and Milikin University of Decatur, IL; and Mt. San Jacinto College in Menifee, CA. He was employed with the A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company, Decatur, IL as a Sales Representative for several western states and retired after 37 years. Upon his retirement, his love of freedom and God continued throughout his life. He remained active in Specialty Advertising Sales and was a member of Colony Men's Golf Club; Co-founder of Marine Corps League Detachment #1057, Riverside County; Chairman of the First MCL Detachment #1057 Golf Charity Gold Tournament; Committee Member of City of Murrieta Veterans War Memorial; and selected as Grand Marshall to represent the City of Murrieta on Veteran's Day Parade 2009; member of Rancho Community Church in Temecula, CA; previous member of Santa Ana First Christian Church, having served as a Deacon and Chairman of fundraising events; Co-Founder and President of Santa Ana's N. E. Little League Baseball in 1955. His latest entertainment was watching his grandson play baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox via TV. A Celebration of Life will be held at England Family Mortuary in Temecula on October 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. A visitation and viewing is scheduled for the hour before the service at 10:00 a.m. Harold will be laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA.