Craig Warren "Deerman" Chudy

1937 - 2024

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Craig Warren Chudy, aka "Deerman" on January 30, 2024. Born Craig Warren Chudy on October 21, 1937, to Joseph and Helmi in Waukegan, Illinois.
The Chudy's moved to Southern California in 1940. Craig attended Narbonne High School in Lomita, CA where he excelled in football and track. While at Narbonne, Craig would meet the love of his life, Janice. Craig received a full ride scholarship to attend UCLA. While at UCLA 1956-60 he played football and ran track.
Craig and Janice were married on August 16, 1957. Where they would honeymoon at North Lake. Craig began coming to Bishop Creek and the Eastern Sierra as a young child camping, fishing and hunting with his father and would later proclaim he would one day move there.
Craig competed in the 1960 US Olympic trials and had brief stints in the NFL with the San Francisco 49-ers and Pittsburg Steelers. With two young boys Craig and Jeff and a newlywed wife Janice, Craig scrapped the sports dreams and started working at Universal Studios. Craig, Janice and kids would move to Malibu Canyon. Eventually along came the last of the Chudy clan, Chris. Craig would climb to Stunt Coordinator for Adam-12 and Emergency. He would also be remembered for his close-ups in the "Poseidon Adventure" and the movie "Mash." Throughout his movie business career, Craig loved to coach. He helped start football at Agoura High School and later he would coach both football and track at Chaminade High School in Chatsworth.
In 1973 the Chudy's moved to Bishop, where Craig began teaching and coaching both football and track at Bishop Union High School. Here is where the name "Deerman" was created! It was the BUHS faculty vs the students in a flag football game where "Deerman" pranced and floated like a Deer at John Schwab field. Deerman had a glorious coaching career at BUHS winning a CIF Championship in boys track and field and winning more than 100+ games as Head Football coach. His favorite Sundays were spent watching game film with his trusted assistants Al Summers and Troy Rowan. Craig eventually moved into administration, first as BUHS Athletic Director and eventually Vice-principal under Rich Tucker. Craig retired from BUHS in 2003. He didn't stay "retired" too long. In the fall of 2004, Deerman would migrate down to Bakersfield, where he would coach football with his son Jeff at Bakersfield College. Craig would come back again in 2007 to assist with the Renegades where there were three generations of Chudy's roaming the grass at Memorial Stadium.
Deerman had a fondness for cooking and hosted countless BBQs on Irene Way. One of his specialties was chicken fried steak on his birthday. He was beloved by his kids and many grandkids and great-grandkids who knew him as "Gramps." Gramps was a fantastic storyteller, and always had a rapt audience.
Craig loved UCLA football and basketball. He also would be caught cheering for whoever was playing against USC.
Deerman was an avid outdoorsman throughout his life deer hunting and trout fishing the eastern sierras; elk hunting in Utah; salmon fishing in Monterey and pheasant hunting in North Dakota.
Craig is survived by wife of 66 years Janice; his sister Mary Puerta of Long Beach; sons – Craig (Sue) of Bishop; Jeff (Katy) of Bakersfield; Chris of Bishop; grandchildren- Colin (Kassi); Kario (Lisa); Bryce (Brittni); Lowell; Hannah (Ben); and Drew. Great-grandchildren – Blakely, Hunter, Sullivan, Abbott, William, and Murphy.
A private service will be held by the family in June. An informal public gathering in remembrance will be held later this summer in Bishop with a published notice forthcoming.