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John Charles Craik

JOHN CRAIK

MARQUETTE, MI – On December 30, 2016, John Charles Craik lost his battle with glioblastomamultiforme brain cancer. His almost two year challenge was faced with optimism and his usual good humor.

John was born in Burbank, California on March 13, 1947 to Paul and Mary Jo Craik. Soon after, the family moved to Crestline, California in the San Bernardino mountains. He was raised in the mountains, attended school and graduated in 1965 from Rim of the World School District. John’s dad was a building contractor in the mountains, and John worked for him as a teenager and young man. He learned many skills from that experience, and later, was always able to plan, build, and maintain the many homes he lived in over his life. He raised a family in Crestline, had two sons, John Jr. and Jamie. John held a myriad of jobs throughout his life. Besides working for his dad, he worked for Rim of the World School District as a bus driver, maintenance man, and lock and key specialist. He and a buddy owned a trash business in Florida in the early 80’s, his sons were young teens at the time, and helped him on the routes. On his return to California, he went back to work for the school district. At the same time, he worked as a reserve for the sheriff’s department. In 1987, he was hired as a regular deputy for San Bernardino County. Working in law enforcement was his dream job. He worked out of the Twin Peaks station, in the area where he had grown up. He was 40 years old when he graduated from the academy, so his age and experience was an advantage in the many situations he encountered as a deputy. At one time, he was called on a loud party complaint. When he arrived at the residence, there were a hundred or so rowdy kids. He walked in, looked around, and one of the kids called out, “Hey, that’s Johnny and Jamie’s dad! Then, it was, “Oh, hi, Deputy Craik, it’s ok, we’ll turn down the music and break up the party. No problem. One of the hazards of working where he grew up, was occasionally having to arrest a relative, or former friends and acquaintances. This was never a problem, he understood his job, and they did, too. He retired in 1999 on a disability retirement, as he was having problems with his heart. Even though unable to work as a deputy, he found other jobs to occupy him. He worked with a transport business that took prisoners from jail to court, or to another jail or prison system when being transferred, sentenced, or released. He purchased a pack and wrap business that worked with the post office, UPS, and Fedex, and owned and operated that for five years. In 2005, after selling their home and business, he and his wife moved to Michigan to help his mother-in-law move out of Detroit, and return to where she was born. Even after moving to Marquette, he found a job with an armored transport company, and worked with them for a year or so. John loved to travel. His very favorite place to go was New Zealand. He was able to go twice, once on his honeymoon, and again a few years later, when he and his wife stayed with an officer and his family that were members of the International Police Association. Another of his favorite places to travel were the National Parks, including The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Arches, Bryce and Zion, Denali, Rocky Mountain National Park, Joshua Tree, and more. John was an avid hiker, runner and cyclist. Shortly after moving to Marquette, he found a group of like minded athletes that got him interested in snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and mountain biking. He discovered kayaking and enjoyed paddling off the Tourist Park, the Chocolay River, and at the family camp down on Morbit Lake. He loved history, especially WWII and the Civil War. He liked the local history books by Tyler Tichelaar and Fred Rydholm. He loved sports, and followed football and basketball closely. John was a coin and stamp collector. John loved a party, nothing he liked better than a captive audience. He loved to dance, and could tell you the artist of almost any old rock and roll song. He was a storyteller, a teaser, and a jokester, and, he loved to laugh. In 2010, he found a fraternity that fit him perfectly in the Masons. He joined and was a member of the Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite, and Shriners. His father and grandfather had been Masons, and he wore his father’s Masonic ring. The lodge was important to him and he took the positions and tasks given to him very seriously. He felt it was his responsibility to make the lodge a better place when he left than when he got there. He cherished the friendships formed there.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Jo and F. Paul Craik, and his twin brother, Jim.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; his two sons, John Craik Jr. (Veronica) of Crestline, California and Jamie Craik (Pamela) of Placerville, Califormia; and grandchildren, Dillon, Brian, and Jamie Lynn of Placerville, California. He is survived by his mother-in-law, Grace Loughead (Gwinn) of Marquette, Michigan., four sisters-in-law, Mira Haslam (Paul Machlis), niece Sarah (Josh) Hannaleck and their twins Mason and Linnea, niece Angela Haslam (Zack Wilder and Layla) and their daughter Melody Grace, niece Christina Haslam, Pat Loughead (Eric Berg) and niece Gillian Berg and nephew Gregory Berg, Susan Brown (Richard Wilson), and Janice (John) Rebers.

He is also survived by much loved numerous cousins and friends.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the First Presbyterian Church on Friday, January 20, beginning at 1:00 pm until the time of service at 2:00 pm. Rev. Nicholas Cammarata will officiate and Marquette Masonic Lodge 101 Free and Accepted Masons will participate.

A reception will follow at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Fassbender Funeral Home. Please visit www.fassbenderfuneral home.com