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1963 - 2023

BORN

1963

DIED

2023

Craig Rader Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Craig Rader
Location: Dust Bowl Brewing Company

Craig Rader
October 3, 1963 - August 12, 2023
Sacramento, California - Craig Andrew Rader, a long-term resident of Sacramento, lost his brief courageous fight with pancreatic cancer on August 12th, 2023, surrounded by his daughter, Katelyn, and loving wife of over 33 years, Angela. High school sweethearts and together for over 42 years, their devotion and undying love for each other was beyond belief. They were each other's best friends – no matter what might have challenged them -- their friendship and true love were like no other. Together they loved traveling -- whether to work conferences, board meetings, weekend trips to Reno, or a special 25-year anniversary trip to France and Italy and spending time with family and friends. Craig was the most incredible father to Katelyn (Matthew Kjar) and new grandfather, "Hoppa," to 11-month-old, Elijah Wayne, but was taken from all of us too soon. He is preceded in death by father, Wayne, along with paternal grandmother, Earleen, and maternal grandparents, Mary and Malcolm Silva.
Craig loved his position as Purchasing Agent with the County of Sacramento and recently had to make the difficult decision to retire after nearly 30 years due to his health. Extremely well-respected among his staff, colleagues, and industry, Craig served as President of the California Association of Public Procurement Officers (CAPPO), not just once, but elected this year for the second time although recently stepped down due to his diminishing health. He was also proud of his association and work with National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). Throughout each, it was the relationships and people he met and loved which inspired him and who will remember him as being kind, funny, caring, unpretentious, and true mentor to many.
In addition to being the premier connoisseur of craft beer – specifically IPA's before they became popular -- he had a love for vintage Chevy Camaros having owned one when meeting Angela while 'cruising' the El Camino Real in Sunnyvale during their senior year of high school. Years later in 2019, Craig purchased a similar fully restored '73 Chevy Camaro from a buyer in Idaho, driving it home from Idaho with Katelyn. Days before his passing, his Camaro Generations car club honored him with a beautiful parade-style drive by our home with Katelyn taking lead car in Craig's Camaro. Our family will forever be grateful to his car club members for the bright smile, thumbs up, and sip of a favorite IPA he was able to do on that day.
Shocked, devastated, and heartbroken doesn't come close to how his family, friends, and colleagues are feeling about his loss. In addition to his wife, daughter, and grandson, Craig is survived by his mother, Sharron Silva-Taylor, sister, Christine Over (Bob), stepsister Christine Wheeler, nephew, Christopher, stepmother Karen Ryan, and many family, friends, and colleagues.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Dust Bowl Brewing Company in Elk Grove. Invites and details to be sent soon.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Sacramento Bee on Aug. 19, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Craig Rader

16 Entries

Dianna Baird

October 24, 2023

My sentiments for Craig...

He was a kind thoughtful person. A great mentor and expert in the field of purchasing. I appreciated his guidance and temperament. Taken too soon. The good Lord has placed another valuable angle to watch over us.

My heartfelt condolences to his family and his work family.

Frank Johnstone

October 2, 2023

Craig and I worked together at a Bindery Co. In Santa Clara, and did rent a house together at one point..He loved riding his motorcycle, and drinking beer. He was my best friend and I will always cherish our time together..RIP Craig, Thank you for all the good times together..Love you brother you will be missed
Frank Johnstone

Marta Bibica

September 3, 2023

I am so very sorry for your loss. May God bless you all during this very difficult time

Mike & Monica Gryskiewicz

September 2, 2023

We were so sorry to hear the news of Craig's passing. Our sympathies go out to his families.He was such a loving person and will be missed by all, prayers

David Louis

August 30, 2023

Words seem so inadequate and difficult to express when you lose someone like Craig in this life. The loss for the family is beyond description and for that we all grieve. To know Craig - even if briefly - you knew that he was just special. Loved, respected, admired, trusted - all of those things and more - were attributable to Craig. We knew each other through our purchasing employment with different agencies, along with our membership and active participation with CAPPO, NAPM, and other professional purchasing organizations. Craig immediately made an impact early on, and his positivity and the examples he set on his own helped countless others. I will never forget you my friend, and my heart aches for the good times we would have had once you had more free time upon retirement. My wife Jill and I will - unfortunately - be out of the country during your memorial at Dust Bowl, but I promise we will remember you always, and will raise a toast to you that day from another part of the world (maybe a great IPA or ?). May the great memories help you Angela, and family, and know that Craig's great legacy will serve you always in yours as well. Love and hugs.

Cliff

August 30, 2023

Craig was great to work with as a boss and a better friend. We will miss him,

Cliff and Sandy Samoville

Jan Logan

August 29, 2023

So sorry to read of the passing of Craig. He was a thoughtful, caring man and I enjoyed knowing him over ten years. My prayers are with you and Katelyn.
- Jan Logan

Ricardo Martinez

August 27, 2023

My deepest condolences to Craig´s family. I had the privilege of knowing and working with Craig while I worked at the Ca. Dept of General Services. He was one to always look for ways to innovate and include everyone´s perspective. A gentle soul when he spoke and always willing to help others. A remarkable leader too. He will be dearly missed

Gary O'Neill

August 24, 2023

Goodbye, Craig. I appreciated the many times that you patiently answered my procurement questions. You were the epitome of a Procurement Professional and the face of CAPPO.

JASMINE GACUSAN

August 21, 2023

When you called, we all responded and signed-up cause it's always a privilege to work with you my friend. 49ers played and won but I didn't get the usual whoot whoot text from you. The game didn't mean the same without El Jefe's cheer... see you in next life Chief. Rader Nation will always be with all of us. Thank you for the friendship.

Roderick S. Jefferson, Sr. and Family

August 21, 2023

Craig will be missed but never forgotten by me and my family. When others had counted me out. Craig never gave up on me and help resurrect my career. I'll see you on the other side my brother in public procurement and friend!

Arlene Wingfield

August 19, 2023

I am so sorry for your loss. Craig and I were colleagues for many years at Sac County.

Darcie Pillsbury

August 18, 2023

My heart is broken at this devastating news. My deepest sympathies to Craig´s family and loved ones at this most difficult time. My thoughts are with you all.

Omid Ghamami

August 18, 2023

I'm shocked and saddened by the passing of Craig. He and I worked together off and on since around 2008. He sat as an advisory board member on a procurement certification committee I had at Folsom Lake College. He once got my daughter a procurement internship position at the county. He just recently secured me to do the opening keynote at the CAPPO 2024 conference.

I always thought he was the one guy who really managed his procurement career correctly. He got in early and he moved up fast, and was going to have a long and enjoyable retirement. Life is so fleeting. I can't believe he's gone. We were just emailing a few months ago. I've been in a state of shock ever since I found out. Life isn't fair. He will be missed.

Samantha Skinner

August 18, 2023

Craig was one of the first people that I met when I came to Butte County and joined CAPPO. He was actually on my interview panel. He has stayed a constant professional and personal inspiration to me. He was always supportive, kind, professional, helpful and a kick to be around at "Networking Events". His commitment to his family, staff and colleagues was always apparent and he gleamed with pride when talking about his wife and daughter. He will be missed and remembered with kindness and laughter by so many and by me.
Thank you Craig for always being steadfast in your character. A very rare and admirable trait.
Angela, Katelyn and family-Prayers of strength and love to you all.
Samantha Skinner
Butte County
Gold City Chapter-CAPPO

christine Over

August 18, 2023

My sweet Angela, thank you for this amazing tribute to my brother. Your strength during this time has been remarkable. The tragedy of this whole thing is overwhelming for all of us. The ONLY comfort I can find is that he lived his life with purpose, kindness, humor, ang most importantly it was a great, full life and so many people can´t say that. This is why it´s so hard to accept. But we must carry as he would like us to, honor his life and continue to support one another as he would have us and toast him and smile as we drink beer. We miss you so much Craig!!

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