Thomas Franklin Craig

Thomas Franklin Craig, 82, of Huntsville, Alabama, unexpectedly passed away at home on Friday, December 12, 2025.
Funeral service will be held at First Christian Church Huntsville on December 19th at 1 p.m. with Reverend Brad Henderson officiating. Visitation will be held before the service at the church from 12-1 p.m.
Tom was born on February 26, 1945, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Robert and Iris Craig. After graduating Salutatorian from Speedway High School in 1961, he went on to earn a BSEE and MS in Industrial Administration from Purdue University.
In April 1966, he moved to Huntsville to work with the Army Missile Command. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1968 with the rank of Captain. He continued to live and work in Huntsville and had over 20 years' experience in the aerospace and defense industries. He provided services at Redstone Arsenal, SCI Systems, Inc, the Boeing Company, The EC Corporation, and Raytheon.
Tom was a member of First Christian Church in Huntsville and served as an elder and chaired many committees.
Tom believed in giving back to his community and always supported his girls in their activities. He was a member of Huntsville Literary Association, serving as their Treasurer for two years. Because of his great love of trains, he was a member and Assistant Treasurer of the Huntsville Depot Board and the Huntsville Depot Museum Advisory Board. Additionally, he served as Treasurer of Community Ballet Association Board of Directors. Although he was humble and unassuming, his brilliant mind earned him membership in MENSA.
Tom was an exceptional leader and Brother within the Masonic fraternity. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason October 31st, 1973, in Apollo Lodge #921 where he later served as Worshipful Master. The Grand Lodge of Alabama recognized him for his 50 years of exemplary service to the craft in 2023. In addition to his achievements within the Blue Lodge, Tom served with distinction in various positions of leadership throughout the appendant bodies of Freemasonry. He was a member of Cahaba Shrine, Shriners International and Past President of Redstone Chapter #353 National Sojourners Inc. As a member the Valley of Huntsville of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, he served as the First Knight of the Knights of Saint Andrew, Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection, Wise Master of the Chapter Rose Croix, Commander of the Council of Kadosh and Venerable Master of the Consistory. The Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite invested him with the rank and distinction of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor and later coroneted him as an Inspector General Honorary, 33rd Degree in 1993. In addition to his impressive achievements in the Scottish Rite, Brother Tom excelled within the Alabama York Rite. In the Huntsville York Rite Bodies, he served as High Priest of Eunomia Chapter #5, Illustrious Master of Eureka Council #5 and Eminent Commander of Huntsville Commandery #7. Notably, he was elected and served as the Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar in 2005 and as Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Alabama in 2014. Brother Tom also elected into and presided over numerous invitational Masonic Orders. He is a Past Eminent Governor of Monte Sano York Rite Sovereign College #64, awarded the Order of the Purple Cross of York and later served as the Grand Governor of the York Rite Sovereign College of Alabama. Some of the other invitational bodies he led include Alabama Priory #31, Knights of York Cross of Honour; Past Puissant Sovereign of Holy Sepulchre Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine; Past Sovereign Master and recipient of the Red Branch of Eri of Ten Sephiroth Council #255, Allied Masonic Degrees; Past Excellent Chief of Vulcan #22, Knight Masons; Past Preceptor of Tabernacle Number XXXII, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests; Provincial Grand Lodge of the United States, Royal Order of Scotland and Past Celebrant and IX Grade of Alabama College of Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his two younger brothers, Bob Craig and Ronald Craig. In addition, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Amy Delynne Craig, on December 11, 2023.
Tom is survived by his wife, Annelle Cantrell Craig, and daughter, Josie Leigh Craig, both of Huntsville. He also loved his little buddy, Ramona, Josie's dog. Other survivors include his son-in-law, Christopher Hefele, and granddaughters, Anna and Greta Hefele, all of Princeton Junction, New Jersey.
Tom was known for supporting so many national and local organizations. Memorial donations may be made to your favorite animal rescue, arts organization, or First Christian Church of Huntsville, 3209 Whitesburg Drive SE, Huntsville, AL, 35802.