CRAIG VANN

1967 - 2012

Craig C. Vann
Jan 25, 1967 - Aug 8, 2012
Craig Charles Vann, 45, passed away unexpectedly on August 8, 2012 when he was suddenly struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in Laguna Woods, CA.
Craig was born on January 25, 1967 in Merced, CA to Phylis and Fred Vann.  He was raised in Atwater, CA and attended Mitchell K-6 Elementary, Mitchell Senior Elementary and graduated from Atwater High School in 1985.  After high school, Craig moved to Carmel, CA and lived with his aunt and uncle, Marlyn and Ray  Sutter, and cousins Terri and Jeff.  Craig attended Monterey Peninsula College and worked in Carmel-By-The-Sea.   He then moved to La Jolla, CA and lived there for a few years while working in the retail business.
In 1992, Craig moved to Austria and lived there for many years.  He continued his education there and became fluent in German.    In October 2011, Craig returned to California, had recently moved to Laguna Beach and found the perfect job.   He was working for Valley Crest, a nationwide landscape company.  His jobs were tending to the gardens and landscape in and around the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Laguna Niguel and at the Montage Laguna Beach Hotel.   He was getting paid to do what he loved and was so happy!
Craig loved spending time with his family, especially his nieces and nephews.  He loved watching them grow up and was thankful for the time he got to spend with them since he'd come home.  Craig had a special place in his heart for animals, especially dogs and birds.  Craig also loved the ocean and living near the beach.   He appreciated the beauty in nature and was a talented artist as well.   He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman since childhood and shared many special hunting trips with his brother, Steven.
Craig had a very strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ and was attending Crossline Community Church in Laguna Hills. He relied heavily and mightily on the Lord at several times in his life.  Craig was blessed to have been given his great grandmother's bible and carried that with him wherever he went.   Craig had a unique way of making friends with random people.   He could talk to just about anyone and become fast friends.  He made many friends during the short time he lived in SoCal and touched the lives of countless others throughout his life.   Craig had such a tender heart and a sweet spirit.
Craig is survived by:  his mother:  Phylis Vann of Atwater, his brother and sister-in-law:  Steven & Amy Vann of Atwater, his sister and brother-in-law:  Sheila & Kevin Reddington of Folsom CA,  his grandmothers:   Veva Downey of Folsom CA and Catherine Vann of Arroyo Grande CA,  his nieces and nephews:  Daniel, Joshua, Mathew, Bailey and Avery, aunts & uncles:   Marlyn Wise of El Dorado Hills CA, Dan and Laura Downey of El Dorado Hills CA, Heather Vann of Atwater, Tom and Claudia Vann of Arroyo Grande CA, Charline Toews of Alhambra CA,  and many cousins but especially his cousin Terri Sutter of El Dorado Hills CA who was like a sister and grew up hand in hand with him as they were born 3 weeks apart.
Craig is preceded in death by:   his sister, Brenda Lynette Vann;  his father, Fred Vann;  his grandfathers, Charley Vann and Daniel Downey;   a nephew, William Vann;  uncles, Ray Sutter, Jack Vann, Bob Wise, Henry Toews and his cousins, Timothy Toews, Philip Toews and Matthew Vann.
Services will be held at Wilson Funeral Chapel in Atwater, CA on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 10:00 am.  Burial at Winton Cemetery will follow immediately.    Memorial donations in Craig's name may be made to WorldVision, PO Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716 or online at www.worldvision.org  or  to Crossline Community Church, 23331 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 (949) 916-0250.
Craig, we love you and miss you and are heartbroken you are gone.  But we know that you are happy and finally at peace and with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!
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