James Hollis Craig

IN LOVING MEMORY

James Hollis Craig

May 11 1935 - Jan 01 2026 Jan 01 2026

James Hollis Craig, age 90, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on January 1, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, devotion, joy, and love. He was born on May 11, 1935, in Forest City, Arkansas, to his parents, Mary Olene and Taylor Burton Pyle. He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Hugh V. Craig; and his sister, Mary Ann Parker.

He leaves behind his devoted wife of nearly 60 years, Joyce Craig of Allen; his son, Michael Craig (Michelle Craig) of McKinney; his daughter, Karen Gomaa (Wally Gomaa) of Allen; and his four grandchildren: Dylan Craig (Stephanie Craig) of Frisco, Taylor Sedate (Trey Sedate) of Allen, Hayden Craig of Washington, and Blake Gomaa (Ali Gomaa) of McKinney. He is also survived by three cherished great-granddaughters, Mila Sedate, Zoe Sedate, and Alice Craig; two brothers, Albert Pyle (Nina) of Arkansas and Freddy Kirkpatrick (Fina) of Magnolia; along with numerous nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

A hard worker and a proud patriot, James served his country in the United States Navy, including service during the Korean War. Following his military service, he built fulfilling careers at Galveston Ice and Cold Storage as a Chief Engineer and at Lipton Tea as a Production Mechanic. He also spent many years working at Heights Baptist Church helping wherever needed, from leading VBS and Sunday School to maintaining the building and more. These were all jobs he truly loved and took great pride in.

Even from a young age, he was a jack of all trades and held numerous jobs, and he was praised for his dedication, dependability, and creative problem-solving by all. He carried that work ethic throughout his life helping family and friends with repairs and teaching about everything from how to replace a roof to the history of tea. James also had a heart for service and community. He coached Little League baseball and later served as Vice President of Little League, mentoring countless young athletes and shaping lives far beyond the field.

In his younger years, James also loved riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and by all accounts, he rode them like a wild man. Those who knew him well smile at the thought, knowing that behind his steady, dependable nature was a fearless spirit-one who loved a little speed, a little freedom, and a good story afterward.

James found immense joy in life's simple pleasures. His favorite things to do included dancing around, listening to music, watching movies or football, working on computers, or playing cards. You could always find him telling stories and jokes with friends and family, fixing things and helping people, and tinkering with tools in his garage. He took great satisfaction in knowing things were in good working order and had a particular fondness for his Honda minivan, appreciating the comfort of knowing it-and everything else around him-was running just as it should. He was always up for an adventure, whether it be his travels to Japan in the Navy, fishing on Lake Livingston, or going out with his family and great-grandchildren.

Above all else, James loved Jesus, his family, and especially his wife Joyce, who was truly the love of his life. He loved good food, from fried shrimp to donuts, but he especially loved Joyce's cooking throughout their marriage. Together, they built a home rooted in faith, family, and steadfast commitment. His faith guided his life, his kindness touched many, and his steady presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

James Hollis Craig leaves behind a family who will forever cherish his example, his laughter, his faith, and the many stories that will continue to be told with smiles.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, located at 2525 North Central Expressway, Allen, Texas 75013. You can watch the livestream of the service at the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/james-hollis-craig.

Visitation will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m., and concluding with a graveside service at Ridgeview Memorial Park.