Joe Tom Craig Jr.

Joe Tom Craig Jr., 71, of The Woodlands, passed away Sunday, April 24, 2022, following a long illness.
Born in Teague, TX to Joe Tom Sr. and Tommie (Eppes) Craig on June 26, 1950, he was raised in Houston, enjoying his childhood with family and playing little league baseball and basketball. Cherished summers were spent with grandparents at the farm in Freestone, TX.
Graduating from Sam Houston High School in 1968, Joe went on to attend the University of Houston. His education was paused to join the Air Force Reserve in 1970 during the Vietnam War and maintain C-130s. Upon his return from basic training, he was accepted into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 716 and began apprenticeship school to become an electrician. An electrician for 40 years, he spent much of that time working for McDonald Electric and teaching apprenticeship school.
Joe and Diane began dating in 1970 and married on May 5, 1972. They raised their children, Kim and Wes, in Spring, TX, surviving years of T-ball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, swim team, band, drill team, and boy scouts. Along the way, they made many joyful memories with family and friends.
Joe enjoyed the outdoors and vacationing throughout the United States. He especially loved the National Park System and was fortunate to visit many of its beautiful parks. Also, an avid hunter and fisherman, Joe spent countless hours over the years in the salt marshes of the Texas coast and Galveston Bay. Many a duck and fish owed their existence to his pursuit of these activities.
A jokester, Joe loved a good prank and was always scheming with buddies for their next good laugh. If no prank was planned, he was always willing to bring "Bubba" along for a visit.
Always willing to lend a hand, Joe provided many with his expertise for electrical projects, car maintenance, moving, and then some. He was never one to sit idle, even while sitting. He loved to relax after a hard day's work in his rocking chair and rock the stress away.
Joe was loved by so many and is already dearly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Diane (Pfeffer) Craig; daughter Kim Nygren and husband Dave; his son, Wesley Craig, and wife Lauren; three grandchildren, Aidan Wilson, Alyssa Nygren, and Joe Thomas Craig; sister Jeannette Faist and husband Paul; brother-in-law David Patterson and wife Carol; brother-in-law Sonny Pfeffer and wife Kathy; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends he loved so much.
Celebration of Life
Joe's family and friends will celebrate a life well-lived and a man dearly loved:
Date: Sunday, June 12, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park, 6464 Creekside Forest Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77389
In honor of Joe, please come comfortably dressed in your fishing or patriotic shirt. Bring your duck call to help us call the celebration to order - and your Bubba Teeth for a laugh in Joe's honor. Most importantly, bring your stories. Share with everyone your tales of the loving, kind, hard working, funny, and fun-loving man that he was. There will be food, drinks, and space for the kids to run and play.
Memorial Tributes
Joe loved America's National Parks and wanted his ashes scattered from the Hellroaring Suspension Bridge in Yellowstone National Park. The Craig family has sponsored a Bear Box there in his memory.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following organizations:
• Texas American Federation of Labor Congress of Industrial Organizations (Texas AFL-CIO) Scholarship Program
Joe believed strongly in the benefit of unionized labor and in providing a hard working individual the opportunity to support their family. Donations can be made by sending a check made out to Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Fund, with a note on the check that the donation is in memory of Joe T. Craig, Jr. Checks should be mailed to: Texas AFL-CIO Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 12727, Austin, Texas 78711.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Priority Land Conservation Acquisitions
Joe loved fishing and duck hunting on the Texas coast. Donations to TPWD's program to acquire and conserve these areas can be made at: https://secure2.convio.net/pwft/site/Donation2?1580.donation=form1&df_id=1580. (highlight the website information and right click to be directed to the site)