Craig Allan Neff

Craig Allan Neff, 78-year-old Vinita resident, passed away February 2, 2026, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa surrounded by family. He was born on March 13, 1947, in Imperial, Nebraska to Clifford and Norma Briggs.

When Craig was eight, Norma married Wayne Whittington. A well-respected miner, Craig learned invaluable lessons from Wayne growing up. Craig was a graduate of Wheat Ridge High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy serving from 1966 to 1968 during the Vietnam War.

While in the Navy, Craig served on two different vessels. Aboard the USS Bexar (APA237) in support of the Pacific Fleet, he served as the Marine Mechanic in charge of refrigeration. He also served on the USS Annapolis as a Machinist's Mate First Class. During an extended repair of the Annapolis in Japan, he also served as Navy Shore Patrol. Craig was also a Navy Shellback, a proud tradition marking a sailor's first crossing of the Equator.

After his time in the Navy, Craig worked in the Hard Rock Mining Division of Joy Manufacturing. There he was assigned as the lead on tunnel boring machine for Standard Metals Corporation in Silverton, Colorado.

Craig married Janie Hartley on May 28, 1982, in Silverton, Colorado. Together, they raised two stepsons aged five and nine, Ryan D. Brown and Dax D. Brown. Craig and Janie founded and operated many businesses together including Solar Energy Supply and Installations in Denver, Colorado, San Juan Cable Television in Silverton, Colorado, Light Seam Technologies, Colorado Trail Riders, which promoted motorcycle racing in Colorado, along with other subsequent business as well.

In addition to their business ventures, Craig was an inventor and developer as well and holds eight patents. One of his developments was the Hunter Douglas Honeycomb Window Shades. In addition, Ten Bar Manufacturing produced and distributed products utilizing the Light Seam that Craig developed. Craig was always in charge of technology business.

In 2009, Craig and Janie left their beloved home in Coal Creek Canyon, Colorado where they had lived since 1985 and moved to Oklahoma to be with family and enjoy their granddaughter. While in Oklahoma, Craig ran Route 66 Machine Works until his death. During his time there, he brought back to life a one-hundred-year-old home that was once a boarding house for the railroad and later an apartment home.

Craig was a man of many talents—an engineer, mechanic, welder, and carpenter. There was truly nothing he could not do. In his spare time, Craig enjoyed off-road motorcycle riding, camping, drag racing, and shifter kart racing.

Craig is survived by his loving wife, Janie, of the home; sons, Ryan Brown and wife, Nikki, Dax Brown; grandchildren, Rylee Brown, Carrick Brown (Lexi), and Torin Brown; brother, James D. Whittington; niece, Meadow Todd and husband, Jamey; great-nieces and nephews, Bryanna, Megann, Wyatt, Daniel, Angelle, and Oliver; along with a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Briggs, mother and stepfather, Norma and Wayne Whittington.

Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemoriesvinita.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. The family has entrusted cremation arrangements to Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita. “Family owned. Locally operated.”