Arthur B. Craig

Arthur Ballenger Craig, age 78, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on October 13, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Arthur was born on July 18, 1947, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to James Randolph and Estelle Ballenger Craig. As a child, he loved nature, playing in the woods, and sports. His strong work ethic began early, at the age of 12, when he started working in the peach orchards, and continued throughout his high school years. He graduated from Chapman High School in 1965, where he played football. He later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1966, serving four years as an airplane mechanic during the Vietnam War era.
On May 4, 1969, Arthur married Barbara while stationed at Warner Robins Air Force Base, and together they had three children: Elaine, Kevin, and Brian. Early in their marriage, Arthur was called into deaf ministry. He and Barbara served as lay leaders at Bethel Baptist Church, in Greenville, SC as a young family, faithfully ministering to the deaf community.
Arthur earned his degree from Furman University. In 1980 Arthur and Barbara moved their family to Fort Worth, TX where Arthur received a Master of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. From 1981 to 1983, he served as associate pastor and minister to the deaf at Meadow Lane Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.
In 1983, Arthur was called to Houston, where he served as pastor of Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church, a mission of Houston's First Baptist, for 32 and a half years. He was passionate about spreading the Gospel to the deaf community, shepherding his congregation with love, and discipling and equipping deaf leaders. His creativity and artistic gifts were especially evident in Woodhaven's annual Christmas pageants. Arthur also ministered in deaf prison outreach during many of these years.
Arthur had a deep heart for Deaf individuals affected by crime. He faithfully ministered to Deaf men at the Estelle Unit in Huntsville through weekly Bible studies and monthly worship services. Arthur often said he had two churches-one at Woodhaven and one behind bars at Estelle. He led many to Christ and baptized countless others. To expand this mission, he founded the Deaf Prison Ministry Network (DPMN) to reach Deaf inmates across the country. Arthur also visited the Harris County Jail weekly. He was burdened by the cycle of incarceration many deaf men faced. In response, he helped establish Healing Hands Ranch, a halfway house offering job skills and placement to help released men rebuild their lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Prison ministry was one of Arthur's greatest passions in serving the Deaf community. Humble and nonjudgmental, Arthur loved the men deeply and truly lived as the hands and feet of Jesus.
With a heart for missions, Arthur was deeply involved in outreach to Ukraine, making over 30 trips beginning soon after the fall of the Iron Curtain. He was committed to sharing the Gospel and supporting the growth of the deaf church there. Today there are multiple missionaries sent out from the Ukraine all throughout the Middle East and Eastern Europe, all from Arthur's faithful commitment to the Great Commission.
On April 15, 2002, Arthur's youngest son, Staff Sergeant Brian T. Craig, lost his life in Afghanistan while serving in the United States Army. Following this profound loss, Arthur and Barbara became actively involved with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community and Gold Star Families. They dedicated themselves to ministering to and supporting other families who had also endured the sacrifice of a loved one in military service.
After 44 years of marriage, Arthur's beloved wife, Barbara, went home to be with the Lord on August 13, 2013, following a courageous battle with cancer.
In 2014, God brought Linda into Arthur's life. They fell in love and were married on September 27, 2014, at Houston's First Baptist Church. Linda joined Arthur in ministry, serving alongside him at Woodhaven and in supporting Gold Star families and the EOD Foundation.
Arthur announced his retirement from Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church in 2016 but remained active in the deaf community-officiating weddings and funerals, visiting the sick, and continuing his prison ministry. Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2022, his faith remained strong, and he stayed engaged in church life and small groups.
Arthur loved his Lord, his family, his church community, and his country. His legacy of faith, service, and compassion will continue to impact many for years to come.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Craig of Houston; daughter, Elaine Hurtado of The Woodlands; son, Kevin Craig and wife Story Craig of Arcadia, Florida; grandchildren: Jonathan, Makayla, and Brian Hurtado; Samuel and Kingston Craig; stepsons: Mike Knox and wife Helen, Kirby Knox, and Russell Knox; sister, Jane Stevens of South Carolina; his brother, Randy Craig of South Carolina, and many nephews and nieces.
Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, Estelle Ballenger and James Randolph Craig; his son, Brian Thomas Craig; and his first wife, Barbara Craig.
The family would like to thank friends and neighbors, Right at Home Caregivers (especially Norma Avila and Darla Eschete) for your love and support over the years.
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to: The EOD Warrior Foundation Project One Love Gold Star Families
Mr. Craig's memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at First Baptist Church located at 7401 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas 77024. The family will have light refreshments following his service. A livestream of his memorial service will begin at 11:00 am and can be accessed here.
Please call us at 713.468.2524 with any questions regarding his service.
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