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Ballwin, Missouri

Francis Craig Obituary

Craig, Francis W. (Colonel, U.S. Army, retired) 87, died on Friday, February 20, 2015 after a long struggle with the effects of Parkinson's disease. Francis is the beloved husband of Jeanne Colgan Bamby Craig; loving father of Francis (Kathleen), Joseph, James (Susan) and Jeanne Marie Craig; dear grandfather of Molly, Catherine, Colgan, John, Rohan and Caleb; dear brother of Barbara Boyle, Sister Constance Craig SHCJ, Michael Craig and the late Louis, Sister Malin RSHM, William and Faith. Francis strongly believed in service and faith. He was born in Arlington, MA into a military family. Like his grandfather, father and a brother before him, Francis attended the United States Military Academy (West Point, NY), graduating in 1951. In 1967 he earned an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. He served the country as an army officer for thirty years, including infantry combat tours in Korea and Vietnam. Later in his career, he served as a personnel officer and focused on raising his four children in faith. He retired from the Army in St. Louis having reached the rank of Colonel. Even after a full career of service to the country, Francis continued to serve the community as a highschool teacher. For an additional decade, he taught mathematics and physics to students at St. Louis' Central High School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Francis retired for the second time in 1995 and spent his time volunteering, traveling with his wife of 49 years, visiting his children, and participating in Volksmarches (German-styled walking events) all around the country. Francis' outlook on faith, family and service was shaped by his Catholic upbringing. He was a 37 year member of the St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Manchester where he was particularly active in serving the youth. He was a long-time Parish School of Religion (PSR) teacher and he mentored Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in their pursuit of religious emblems. Francis was a hospice volunteer, a dedicated apheresis platelet donor with the Red Cross, and he drove for Meals-on-Wheels in the West County area. Services: Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Manchester, Saturday, 11:00 a.m. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at a date and time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church chapter of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, Manchester, or the St. Louis Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Assn., Chesterfield. Visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Friday 4-8 p.m. and at the church, Saturday 10:30 a.m. until time of mass. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.



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Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch from Feb. 24 to Feb. 25, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Francis Craig

Sponsored by Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory - Ballwin.

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Peter & Darlene Craig

March 5, 2015

Aunt Bamby & family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Love,

Bill and Linda Craig

March 3, 2015

Aunt Bamby,
We are sorry to hear of your loss. You and the family are in our prayers.
Love,

February 28, 2015

Dear Bamby, you and your family are in my prayers. The Month's Mind Mass will be offered in our chapel at Stella Maris on March 20.
Love,
Joanmarie

February 27, 2015

Rest in peace. francy. Always remember our times as young soldiers..Bud

Robbie Evans

February 26, 2015

Bamby, I'm remembering the great fun times with you and Francis traveling with the Volkswalking groups. Now Francis, Terry and Lee Vick can walk briskly in a much better place, while we miss them greatly here.

Jane & Donald Maroney

February 26, 2015

Dear Bamby,
Francis is finally at rest . Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

February 26, 2015

Dear Bamby and family,
My thoughts and of others in the class of 51 are with you. Fran was a great soldier and a dear friend. We shall all miss him.
Walt Johnson

Margery Manly

February 26, 2015

I am so happy I knew this great man. Francis certainly brought joy to family, friends and I am sure many strangers
Aren't we lucky!

Ron & Kathleen Mordini

February 26, 2015

Dear Bamby and family: May God's grace give you strength at this time of sorrow. We remember Francis for his service to others and love of his family. We pray God will bless each of you.

February 26, 2015

Dear Aunt Bamby and the Craig clan- Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this difficult time. Know that we are with you in His Spirit. Many blessings, Nancy, Randy, Craig, and Katy Sage

February 25, 2015

Our deepest sympathies at Col. Craig's passing.
The Catron family
Mary Lou Catron
Daphne (Catron), Jeff, and Jackson Bowen
Bill, Lynn, Brady, and Danica Catron
Richard Catron

February 24, 2015

Aunt Bambi, Francis, Joe, Jim and Jeanne Marie, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I am so lucky to have so many wonderful memories of my special Uncle. love, liske, all the McCormleys and Anna Craig...

melissa yaeger

February 23, 2015

TO Bamby and the rest of the Craig family, All of us here at the Mercy Surgery Ctr are thinking of you!!!!!

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Memorial Events
for Francis Craig

Feb

27

Visitation

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory - Ballwin

14960 Manchester Road, Ballwin, MO 63011

Feb

28

Visitation

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

St. Joseph Catholic Church

MO

Feb

28

Funeral Mass

11:00 a.m.

St. Joseph Catholic Church

Manchester, MO

Funeral services provided by:

Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory - Ballwin

14960 Manchester Road, Ballwin, MO 63011

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