BUTTE - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Percy Craddock, our beloved Dad and Papa. Percy passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at St. James Healthcare in Butte. Percy was born in Williamsburg on May 17, 1936, to Percy and Lucille Craddock. He had many cherished memories of growing up in the "burg," but his favorite was spending time with his Grandpa and King, his grandpa's favorite horse, at the ranch in Ramsay. Sneaking out with Grandpa at 6:30 A.M. and learning how to drive the wagon were some of his best stories of that time. He attended school at Webster-Garfield and graduated from Butte High School in 1954. Percy went on to earn his master's degree in education from Western Montana College in Dillon.

On a freezing cold day (-47 degrees), January 12, 1963, Percy married Lois Carveth in Holy Savior Church. They were married for 55 years when Lois passed on July 7, 2018. The couple moved to Fort Ord where Percy was stationed in the Army. They explored the California coast and settled in Seaside, CA, on Monterey Bay. After his discharge, they moved back to Butte and started their family. Over the next seven years, they welcomed Lori, Lynn, and Mark into their lives.

Percy worked at Safeway and attended college in Dillon while serving as the produce manager for the East Park store. He later worked for School District #1 at Butte High School as the Woodshop teacher and started the school to work program in Butte. After retiring from the school district, he worked for RYO and got their carpentry program started. Percy was the VICA advisor and accompanied many of his students to national competitions. He was a founding member of the Montana Woodcarvers Association and volunteered his time teaching woodcarving at the Belmont Senior Citizen's Center, where his students became his lifelong friends.

Percy had many hobbies and activities that he enjoyed, including woodcarving, playing cards, throwing horseshoes, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, "puttering" at Georgetown Lake and taking care of the horses. He was also a former high school hockey player and coached basketball and hockey for Mark's teams.

Percy was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law: Anne and Bill Carveth; grandson, Jacob Craddock; sister and brother-in-law: Lucille and Ray Russell; sister-in-law, Dolores "Boots" McAuliffe; and niece, Diane McAuliffe.

He is survived by his daughters and son-in-laws: Lori and Neil McConnaha, Lynn and Joe Morris; son, Mark (Angela Souther) Craddock; grandchildren: Bryan and Mallory McConnaha, Kevin and April McConnaha, Kelsey and Clint Pedersen, Josh McConnaha, Riley (Kaitlynne Tocher) McConnaha, Tyler and Katrina Morris, Ryan (Brittany Sears) Morris, Nick (Valeria Lago-Sosa) Morris, Kobi Craddock, Cameron Craddock, and Kait Craddock; great-grandchildren: Maisyn, Jensen, and Deacon Morris; brother-in-law, Don McAuliffe; and friend, Jane Lewis.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of the Beehive Homes for their kind and compassionate care.

Memorial suggestions: Skills USA- c/o Denise Bordeleau Advisor, Butte High School, (Skills USA in check memo), or to the George Tierney Scholarship Fund, Butte High School, 401S. Wyoming, Butte, MT 59701; or a charity of the donor's choice.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 25, 2023 at Holy Cross Cemetery, 4700 Harrison Ave., Butte, MT, 59701. Following internment, a memorial service and reception will be held at the American Legion Silver Bow Post #1, 3201 Wynne Ave., Butte, MT, 59701.

Please visit axelsonfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or share a memory of Percy.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Montana Standard from May 9 to May 21, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Percy Craddock

Sponsored by Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services.

14 Entries

Ann Ueland, Belmont Senior Center

May 23, 2023

Percy was such a wonderful friend and a big part of the Belmont Senior Center. All of his beautiful wood carvings and projects he did with his group of Wood Carvers, for the Center will forever remind us of him.
May he rest in peace. Ann and friends of Belmont.

Dave Duhame

May 21, 2023

Percy was a great guy. I had him as a high school student and also my advisor when I became a vocational teacher. I learned a great deal from him
I am sorry for your loss

Cheryl Madison

May 13, 2023

To Lori and family, I'm sorry to here of your father's death. He was so good to us at the Broadway. I'll always treasure my pasty carving and all the other very nice carvings he gave to us. What a talented and thoughtful man. Cheryl Madison

Ted and Jan Rask

May 12, 2023

Lori, Neil and family
We send you our love and condolences. What an amazing man and such a great legacy. May you find comfort in you many memories.

Curtis Stahlecker

May 12, 2023

Percy was my favorite high school teacher. While his title was the wood shop teacher he was much more that - a life coach to all that woud listen to his wisdom. With his calm manner he respected the students, he modeled trust, gave us guidance on how to conduct ourselves in the class and in the future work settings. He instilled in me confidence, pride in workmanship, and a life long love of wood working. He even went the extra mile taking the time to write a personal reference letter that help me get into the Carpenters union beginning as an apprentice and becoming a journeyman. Truly setting the course of my life's path. He was a great teacher and selfless man. May he rest in peace.

Regan Dean

May 10, 2023

Thank you Percy for your friendship. teaching me wood carving and great stories.

Jeanette Weets

May 10, 2023

Percent my uncle, my mother's brother he was such a talented woodcarver! We shared a lot of memories when we had a recent visit! May you now RIP!!!

Ray Russell

May 10, 2023

My uncle "Blue" taught me to camp, fish, shoot, ride a motorcycle and drive his car when he was still a kid himself. I learned self-determination, manliness, and industry; all of which he had to learn on his own. I hope that can now ride out to the ranch in the morning with great grampa and his old horse and buggy. I'm happy to know that he can now draw, sketch, paint and woodcarve to his heart's content. Love you, unc-

Emmett Riordan

May 10, 2023

Percy was my high school carpentry shop teacher. He made many good impressions on my life and was good friend

Richard E Garlish

May 9, 2023

Percy was a great guy with so much talent. We worked together while he was pursuing his teaching degree and he had a great influence on me. Rest in Peace, Perc.

Maleesha

May 9, 2023

Percy was always around school, and one summer (1991?) he was my drivers ed teacher. Car full of nervous gals, one of them was backing the car up on a turnaround on the East Ridge, the driver was terrified she was going to back us off a cliff...so were the two of us in the back seat waiting our turns.

Percy, in the passenger seat was so calm, the Montana Standard open (he was actively reading the paper as we got our driving experience) and just said "That's it, you got this, nice job!" ...and he continued reading the paper as the driver made a 14 point turn to get out of the situation...

It's no wonder he had such a long life, with that calm and relaxed personality! Rest in Peace!

Don McAuliffe

May 9, 2023

Rest in peace pard. From the luckiest brother in law ever!

Carol Adamo

May 9, 2023

My sincere condolences to Lori and the family. I think of your family every year when I add Percy´s wooden Christmas ornament on my tree. He had such a talent. May love and prayers comfort you.

Becky Mattila

May 9, 2023

I´m so sorry to hear of Percy´s passing my thoughts and prayers to his family

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