Robert F. ""Bob"" Craig

Robert F. ""Bob"" Craig, 89 (1926-2016), a Denver native, died peacefully in hospice April 1, 2016, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Jean, two children, Janet Welch and Byron Craig, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Tuesday April 5, at 11:00 AM at Highline Community Church, 6160 S Wabash Way, Greenwood Village, CO. http://highlinecc.org. Guests are invited to stay for lunch. There will be a private burial at Ft Logan Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Denver Hospice, 501 S Cherry St. Suite 700, Denver CO 80246 or online at www.thedenverhospice.org. Bob was the middle of three sons of Milo and Lou Craig, all three of whom loved sports. He attended Asbury Elementary, Grant Jr. High and South High. After meeting the required courses, he left high school in January at age 17 to join the Merchant Marine. He left with excitement and great expectations, having never been far from home. The sea life was a happy place for him. He amazed the others there by becoming a bosun at age 19, with a crew of a dozen men. There was much to be learned at sea. Wherever he went he was a standout with his great looks, intelligence, hard work and great smile. He returned to Denver after three years, only to realize there was no GI Bill available for those in the Merchant Marine. But he still graduated from DU in business. Again football was in his life as well as many odd jobs. Sports were such a big part of Bob's life. Bob married Jean in August 1956. Jean had been a widow and right away Bob requested adoption of her daughter, Janet, who had just turned two that same August. Later in September of 1957, son Byron was born, adding to Bob's love, care and responsibility as head of the family. They moved to Dennison Court in February of 1958, and it has been their address for 58 years. He and Jean would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this August. Bob worked in sales, involved in lighting and building products, with the culmination of having his own agency. His expertise in dealing with others and his uncanny memory kept him abreast in all situations of his work and life. He developed products that have become the industry standard in lighting. He dearly loved his children. His daughter Janet became a teacher and later a missionary in Ivory Coast. His son Byron is a managing engineer at Xcel Energy. That same love extended to each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Please share your memories of Bob at the Guestbook link.