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Noble Craig Obituary
Noble was born August 6, 1948 and passed away on April 26, 2018. He has gone to be with the Lord.
Just after graduating from North High in 1967, Noble was drafted and joined the ranks of the 82nd Airborne; while in Viet Nam, he lost his legs, one arm and the vision in one eye. Noble was the perfect example of true American grit; with charisma and an enduring Positive Mental Attitude he overcame the largest of life's obstacles, raised 5 children, beat cancer and continued to be an inspiration for anyone lucky enough to find themselves in his presence.
He was always on the move and never met an obstacle he couldn't overcome; he hunted in Wyoming, Utah and Colorado and even ran his own skeet and trap range. When he wasn't raising kids or wrenching on a vehicle, Noble would knee board, scuba dive, ski, deep sea fish and many more vigorous activities. He drove everywhere and it didn't matter if it was a long-distance trip to Washington State, a quarter mile in his 1971 426 Hemi Cuda or over sand dunes in his hand built sand rail. He loved to go fast, play hard and never let his condition hold him back.
Noble also had more than the standard 15 minutes of fame. His unique condition combined with his physical shape and charisma landed him various Hollywood roles in movies like: The Blob, Big Trouble in Little China, Poltergeist II, and Nightmare on Elm Street 5.
Costa Rica always had a special place in Noble's heart; he was given the utmost respect, loved by all and admired for his kindness and generosity. Best of all, Noble got the pleasure of showing his children what REAL adventure was like.
Noble leaves behind his beloved wife of 27 years, Elena Craig, and his 4 surviving children: Yanna Craig Sparks, Amber Breer, Kyle Craig and Easton Craig. Noble has been reunited with his first son, Robert Craig.
There will be a military service at the Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Thursday, May 24 at 10am, Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits
Memories and Condolences
for Noble Craig
25 Entries
Christian
February 15, 2025
Thank you Noble for being such an amazing inspiration to so many people...
Fred Guadalupe Garcia
October 30, 2024
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Ron cruz
April 15, 2024
Ron cruz I was his neighbor and friend on Elgar st Torrance we were drafted together on 5 14 1968 I´ll never forget noble
Gloria Thibodeaux
November 25, 2023
I am so saddened to hear that you have left us Noble Here it is 2023 and I did not know you were with our Lord above since 2018!!! You are my truest HERO in every sense of the word. Elena was a lucky woman. I so enjoyed our visits here in Lake Havasu City, Az and am so honored to have known you! I feel so proud sharing my story about you. I am so sad that I did not get to say goodbye RIP my friend
Kenneth Hyder
July 16, 2023
I was born Sep. 8 1948. Went to VietNam in April 1969 was wounded in Ambush on 23 July 69. After Japan was stationed at Letterman General Hospital in S. F. Noble was already a celebrity there. Tooling to the mess hall in his chair alternating the wheels with his good arm. Always a group around him. I lost the hearing in my rt. Ear. Other than that. I was fine. Seeing how he handled his challenges shaped my life. If he could turn his struggles into a positive. I could surely do so with my minor inconvenience. Never felt sorry for myself after that. Ever. He was much braver than most of us. I´m 75 yrs old now and still remember him from 1969-70. Can´t say that about a lot of people. So sorry to hear he has passed on. I know his family knows what a hero he is. He was also one to me.
Alexandra baiunco
September 29, 2022
Nobel was my neighbor and friend when I was a teenager in orange County C A. In the 1970s. He was kind , amazing and superhuman. .my older brother and I had a lot of fun with him. He is an inspiration and I will always love him.
Kev Ciambrone
January 13, 2022
RIP brother
Joe Grieco
November 23, 2020
Spent a week in Jamaica with Noble in 1987 at Sandals resort Montego Bay. My wife and I (on our honeymoon) remember how much fun we had with him. He was a true inspiration. He told me to throw him in the pool. He said don't worry Joe I can swim like a fish. So I picked him up off his little scoot around and chucked him in. The guests thought I was crazy and didn't think that was too funny. All the while Noble swam around laughing. We also climbed the waterfall in Negril. He was an amazing man. Leaving me with great memories. RIP my brother.
Judy Bivens
December 9, 2019
Bye Nobel. Been missing you for a year or so. Was looking for you and yours. Now I know.
Be happy my friend. See you soon.
Love to the family.
Tiffiney
October 27, 2019
Watching Big Trouble in Little China as a throwback with my sister. It's her first time and we're laughing so much. I looked up the cast and after some digging came upon Mr. Craig's story. Thank you all for sharing your memories - incredibly touching. The obituary was a testament to whom a man, husband and father can be beyond the familial ties. Internally, I just want to speak his name when I feel discouraged. We're here to live and love each other. His shared story embodied generosity of spirit to all he encountered. May blessings continue to surround his family and loved ones.
Jeffrey Utter
May 27, 2019
I knew Noble back in the '70s through a mutual friend in Fallbrook CA. He was a wonderful guy and a true inspiration. I'm sorry to hear he has left us.
Gary Jones
October 3, 2018
Guys like Noble and Paul Parr and others were known in and around North High for their fast cars and willingness to talk to and listen to about their cars and how they built them.
Back in high school we were all in the que to possibly be drafted and sent to Vietnam, a war we grew up with sadly. Noble answered the call and served which cost him dearly.
Noble Craig is a hero in every sense of the meaning of the word. There are but a few people you meet while growing up that stand out as outstanding individuals and people you can look up to. Noble Craig was that an more. Rest in peace sir and thank you for being one of those guys I looked up to in high school.
Robert Walley
September 21, 2018
In the summer of 1969 my medical reserve unit was sent on its annual two weeks of active duty to the Presidio hospital in San Francisco. I was assigned to the orthopedic ward and it was there that I met Noble Craig. The ward was filled with war amputees and I admit I was uncomfortable being around guys who had been injured that way. My job was to take and record their vital signs 3 times a day. Noble sensed my uneasiness right away and volunteered to go first. He held out the stump of his right arm for me to work with. He looked me right in the eyes in an encouraging way as I took his pulse and blood pressure. Soon I lost my uneasiness and over the course of the two weeks, I got know all of the guys and heard their stories. They were great guys but I was closest to Noble. He was so outgoing, kind and a force of nature to be reckoned with. His positive outlook on life was something I admired a great deal and changed me forever. Once I had to wheel him over to physical therapy which was located across the campus. He spun around in his wheel chair so he could face me as we talked. I can still see him smiling and laughing. really enjoyed our time together.
I read his biography and it didn't surprise me that he attached life with such spirit and didn't let anything get him down. I have often thought of him over the years and wondered how he was doing so it was with great sadness that I learned of his passing.
I will never forget Noble. I was proud to spend a couple of weeks with a guy who made me a better person by teaching me what was truly important. He was truly one of a kind.
Matt Hall
May 26, 2018
God blessed me to be able to meet Nobel when I was a young kid growing up. He was always an inspiration to me. Nobel will always be in my thoughts, in my prayers,
and in my Mass intentions.
Irene DECOSTE
May 24, 2018
My name is Irene Macias / Decoste. Went to North High ,left in 1969. SORRY FOR THE LOST OF A genuine human being ,Who never lets obstacles getting his way. He really knew how to live by example, For others. What a awesome human being. There will not be another one ever like him . REST IN GODS LOVING PEACE
May 23, 2018
His life is and should be an inspiration to all of us.
jack keady
Playa del Rey
May 23, 2018
RIP Noble, I will miss you dearly. Thank you for all the beautiful memories. Deb
Sue Burin
May 22, 2018
Noble was a classmate at North (class of 67). We were all shocked when we heard about Noble in Vietnam. Many of our classmates were soon headed there or already there. Through the years whenever we held a class reunion (every 5 years) the question would always come up whatever happened to Noble? Only a few of us knew of his acting career.
I reconnected with Noble several years ago. You know how that first conversation goes you talk for hours catching up. I'd mention names of classmates he would remember the name but not the face. I happen to have an extra yearbook so I sent it to him. Oh my, he just couldn't thank me enough as he thumbed through the book reminiscing about our high school years. It warmed my heart to know it made him happy.
He talked about the years since Vietnam and said he had a full life and had no regrets when he dies.
I again lost touch with him last year. We celebrated our 50 year class reunion and as chairman I tried to connect with him hoping he would attend.
When I first posted on Facebook about his passing the comments about what a great man he was were overwhelming. He was respected by everyone.
On behalf of the class of 1967 please accept our condolences and know we were all thankful for his service to our country and what he sacrificed and proud to have known him. A true American hero. Never to be forgotten.
May 22, 2018
Although I only met Noble briefly while a student at North High School, my brothers John and Kurt new him well. He truly was loved as a brother, and inspired so many. RIP to a true American hero
Pat Burns
May 22, 2018
I remember Noble from High School days, it was a blessing to read what a wonderful man he became. My prayers are with his family.
Barry Steigelman
May 22, 2018
RIP Noble. You were the inspiration that more people need.
Dale Harvey
May 22, 2018
Noble and I shared the same birthday. We hung out early 80's. I took Noble deer hunting one year in Wyoming and he shot a fine buck as it was jumping the fence. I keep the worn hook he gave me, on my workbench in the shop. I have many good memories of the times we spent together.
Frank and Candy Colletti
May 22, 2018
RIP our high school friend. It was a great honor to know you. Thank you for your service to our great country.
C. L.
May 22, 2018
To the family of Noble Craig, please accept my deepest sympathies. He sounds like a man who truly loved life and lived it to the full! May the God of all comfort give you strength to endure through this difficult time. Psalm 29:11
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