James F. Craig

Craig, James Fritz, our loving husband and father, father-in-law and grandfather, 80, of Bixby, OK, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. He passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family. James was born October 30, 1936 to Vera and Phillip E. Craig, El Reno, OK. He graduated from Bartlesville High School in 1954. He cherished his Bartlesville alumni friends. He attended Oklahoma Baptist University and graduated with a double major in Speech, and History and minored in Journalism in 1958. He served on as President of the OBU Alumni Board for several years. There he met his college sweetheart JoAnn Findley. They married on January 30, 1960, Calvary Baptist Church and lived in Tulsa, OK. He was a Veteran and served as a Sergeant with the Army. They had 3 daughters; Shari, Kami and Cathi. James lost his wife, JoAnn, May 11, 1970. James raised their daughters independently until he re-married Jonaline Mae Carver, April 16, 1981. James worked several years with Findley Contstruction. He worked alongside his father-in-law, Harry Findley, and brother-in laws. They built several churches, schools and various buildings in the Tulsa area. He retired from the City of Tulsa where he worked as a Special Inspector for Street and Buiding Engineering Department for 25 years. James was a former member of Calvary Baptist Church, Gracemont Baptist Church and South Tulsa Baptist Church. James and Jonaline are members of Ranch Acres Baptist Church, Tulsa, OK. He was a Deacon, Layman Preacher and Sunday School Teacher for many years. James loved God and his family. He always had a story to share, loved history, anything sports especially OU football and Cardinals baseball and family geneology. He is survived by: his loving wife, Jonaline Carver-Craig of 35 years, and their fur baby "Buddy" Bixby, OK; his daughters, Shari and husband, Jamie Deeter, Owasso, OK; and granddaughter, Lora Deeter-Church and husband, Brian Church, Tulsa, OK; Kami and husband, Lance Jones and son, Bryce Jones, Tulsa, 0K; Cathi and husband, Curtis Snively and their 2 children, Trevor and Nicole, Skiatook, OK; brother, David L. Craig, Jenks, OK; brother-in- law, Donald and wife, Darla Findley, Tulsa, 0K; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. James was a Christian. A gentleman of integrity, intelligiance, and honesty. He loved to travel, gardening (especially his rose garden), fish & golf. Visitation at Moore's Southlawn Funeral Home, Sunday, January 29, 2-5 p.m. Service at Ranch Acres Baptist Church, 3143 S. Jamestown Ave., Tulsa, Monday, January 30, 2017, 11 a.m. Moore's Southlawn, 918-663-2233.

James F. Craig

October 30, 1936 - January 24, 2017