Lester Earl Craig's Obituary
Lester Earl Craig was born in Iowa City Iowa on June 27, 1932 to Ora and Rena Craig. He went to his heavenly home on March 22, 2025. He was 92 years old.
Dad grew up in the small town of Bertram, Iowa. When he was 17, Dad joined the US Marine Corps on 12 Aug 49; on 15 Sept 50 he made the Inchon Landing in South Korea. He participated in the campaign securing of Seoul 17 Sept – 7 Oct 50. Dad also survived the battle of the Wonsan-Hungnam Chosin Reservoir “The Chosin Few”. 26 Oct 50- 13 Dec 50. He was also involved in Operations against enemy forces in South and Central Korea 17 Dec 50 – 10 Jun 51. He was Honorably Discharged on 1 Jun 52. He received the National Defense Service Medal, US Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze star, United Nations Service Medal Korea, the ROK War Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.
On March 3, 1956 he married Wilma Norene Gould at a “Little Bit of Heaven” in Iowa. They had three children, Laurie, Lisa and Joel. They moved from Iowa to Arizona in 1964 to stay.
Dad had many jobs during the years. He was a car salesman (sold new VW bugs for $1700), Town of Florence Deputy Marshal, City of Coolidge Reserve Police Officer and an Arizona State Prison guard achieving the rank of Sgt. He retired from the Prison after 20 years.
After retirement, Dad was an active volunteer with Drexel Heights Fire District doing public awareness about fire safety. He also volunteered with Pima Council on Aging and other local community service organizations. He always said he wanted to retire to help old people. That he did!
His wife, Norene, passed in 2017 after 61 years of marriage. He met and married Laura Hall in February 2018. They were married 6 years until her passing in July, 2024.
Lester was a Christian and was a member of the Mission Park Baptist Church in Tucson.
Lester is survived by two natural daughters: Laurie (Philip) and Lisa (Rick) both from Sierra Vista and one son Joel (Becky) from Kansas, one step son Dick (Charlotte) of Tucson and a step daughter Audrey Rodriguez of New Mexico.. He has six natural grandchildren, five great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. He also has 6 step grandchildren and 14 step great grandchildren.
Lester is preceded in death by his parents, two wives, his three sisters and one granddaughter.
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