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Craig Wetzel Obituary
Craig Wetzel died in his Renton home at the age of 61 on Sunday, July 21. Craig is survived by his wife Elizabeth, children Ariel and Logan, and grandson Rory. Craig proudly served from 1976 to 2005 in the United States Coast Guard. Craig was a graduate of The United Association Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 32 Apprenticeship Program in 1987. Craig enjoyed camping, mountain biking, and spending time with his family.
Craig's life will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 6 at noon at Rainier Beach Presbyterian Church (9656 Waters Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118) and at 3 pm at Tahoma National Cemetery (18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042). Donations in Craig's memory may be made to the Coast Guard Foundation at coastguardfoundation.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Craig Wetzel
Sponsored by The Family.
Keith Wells
June 26, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I met Craig when we both were Apprentice at Mac-Miller, Craig was a great guy. About two yesterday ago, Craig came into Airefco, it was nice to see him and talk about Life..
Condolences...
Keith Wells
[email protected]
John 3:15-16
Heather Johnson
August 5, 2019
My condolences for your loss. I'm truly sorry and will be keeping you all in my thoughts
August 5, 2019
"Craig Wetzel was special. He was a quiet guy. He took notes. He asked poignant questions. He smiled a lot. He was kind. He had real empathy for others. He had perfect attendance. He loved his wife and newborn daughter. He was the smartest guy in the room. He was in the Coast Guard on the weekends.
One night, in a Rigging class, taught by a guy named Shorty (I'm not making this up!) he was reading ahead in the handouts. He was always way ahead of all six of us in the graduating class of Local 32, Seattle Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union. Shorty saw he was reading ahead and yelled at him! Meanwhile, Neal had his head down on the desk, asleep! Shorty ignored Neal's snoring!?
I was struggling with understanding how to trouble-shoot a wiring diagram. Craig saw I was having a hard time and came over, sat next to me and said, Can I show you something that helped me? He proceeded to simplify the process of trouble shooting a ladder diagram. In 10 minutes, he transferred that skill to me, something the instructor was unable to do.
Is it any wonder he was awarded Apprentice of the Year?"
-Mark Matteson
Rich Reilly
August 2, 2019
There are no words only tears in the loss of Craig. I have some good memories of your family. One of my favorites is when we were camping on the Columbia river just north of Wenatchee on the 4 of July. Craig shuttled us onto an island for the day of fun. Then the island caught on fire (it wasn't us) and he could only evacuate a small group of us off the island at a time. What a memory !!
KENNETH KING
August 2, 2019
May God bless you and your family. Craig was a good friend in high school and I remember when he told me that he was going to join the Coast Guard. My sincere condolences.
Brian Carlson
July 31, 2019
I am saddened to read of your loss.
I was stationed aboard Polar Sea along with three fellow crewmates from boot camp in 1978; Craig was a brother and our guide.
He shall be missed.
July 30, 2019
Jay and I were saddened by Craig's sudden passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Liz and the family.
God Bless, Gail and Jay Smith
Rick Stahl
July 29, 2019
My heart felt sympathies go out to his family and friends. Thou I fell out of contact with Craig I will always consider him a special friend.
Jim Hike
July 29, 2019
Condolences to his family and friends.
Cindy Mills
July 28, 2019
Condolences to his family and friends. Cindy Snook
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