Obituaries

William Jefferson "Jeff" Craig passed away at his home in Sherman peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 61. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Dannel Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday May 17 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Don Neill will officiate. He married Peggy Horton his best friend and companion in McKinney Texas on March 16 1989. They were married for 23 years. Jeff was born on August 25 1950 in Raleigh North Carolina to William Craig and Margaret Hoyle Craig. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Peggy Horton Craig his children Chris Craig and Allison of Bonham Sean Craig and Ashlee of Sherman and Kara Reddick and Jason of Sherman Don Neill and Darla of Van Alstyne Jason Neill of Bells his brother Jim Craig and Patti of Amarillo sister Charlotte Brooks and Phil of Tampa Florida and grandchildren Kayla Craig Corey Craig Cameron Craig and William Seth Craig and Judah Craig Nathan Neill of Midland Natalie Neill of San Angelo and Chason Aiken of Van Alstyne as well as many nieces and nephews. When Jeff was only a year old his family moved to Panama due to his father"¢s job which was to operate the locks of the Panama Canal Zone. While living there Jeff blended well and became part of the Panamanian culture learning Spanish ballroom dancing and guitar. Also while living in Panama he enjoyed many off road adventures with his jeep club friends and enjoyed cruising the open roads on his motorcycle and enjoyed spending time with his friends playing his guitar in a band. Music was a large part of Jeff"¢s life and it brought him great joy picking and writing new songs. He graduated from Canal Zone College in Panama and later relocated back to the United States where he continued his education at East Texas State University earning his teaching degree. He was a member of Delta Chi Fraternity at E.T.S.U. Jeff"¢s desire to help others was certainly evident in his choice of career in the education field working with special education and at risk students for his many years of teaching. He also worked at Walmart for many years and ended his working career by retiring as a teacher at the Buster Cole State Penitentiary. His patience guidance and great spirit was felt by all those whose lives he happened to touch. The family wishes to express their sincerest appreciation for the love and care given to him by his sister-in-law Sonya Cobbel. In lieu of flowers donations in Jeff"¢s name may be made to: Home Hospice of Grayson County P.O. Box 2306 Sherman Texas 75091 Please sign the online guestbook at www.dannelfuneralhome.com