1923
John
2016
John T. Craig
November 5, 1923 — August 1, 2016
He was born at home on November 5, 1923 in Otwell, Indiana to Effie Inman Craig and Ralph L. Craig. Survivors include his beautiful and completely devoted wife, Mary Ann, whom he married during World War II in Ft. Benning, Ga. on December 19, 1943; two sons, Mark of Indianapolis and Bradley of Phoenix, Arizona; three step-grandchildren, Kevin Kopke of Ft.Wayne, IN and former spouse Mary Helmutz of New Haven, IN and their children, Ashley, Alexia, and Aayla; Sam and Laurie Kopke Mounsamrouath of Ft. Wayne, IN and their son, little Sam; Kristie Kopke and her three children, Breanna, Justin, and Jalen also of Ft. Wayne, IN; a sister-in-law, Diane Alexander of Monticello, IL.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Sondra Alexander, of Danville, IL and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Lela and Rader Himsel; a brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Harry L. and Marilou Craig; and two brothers-in-law, John Grant Alexander and Joe Alexander.
Tom was a charter member of the Eastside Church of Christ which first began in 1954 near 25th and College Ave. The church outgrew their first meeting place then moved to their present new facility at Fruitridge and College Ave. He first served as a deacon for 11 years followed by an additional 33 years as an elder. He served as Chairman of the Core Committee during the construction of a major new addition to the original building at Fruitridge and College. Tom had asserted that his most significant contribution to his fellow man occurred during the 58 plus years he and his wife spent as members of the Eastside Church of Christ.
Tom graduated from the elementary and high schools in Otwell, IN with the class of 1941. Following graduation from high school, Tom worked during the summer months at Craig Mills in Otwell to earn his tuition to Indiana University, beginning in September, 1941 to pursue a B.S. degree in Chemistry. He was able to continue at Indiana through 1942 and early 1943 after enlisting in the Enlisted Reserve Corp and entering Advanced Infantry R.O.T.C. In May of 1943, Tom was called into active duty in the U.S. Army as a private first class and served in the infantry during the entire time in service. After basic training in Camp Wolters, Texas, he was accepted as an officer candidate at The Infantry School in Ft. Benning, Ga. He and Mary Ann Henager decided to have a military wedding in the Chapel #5 at Ft. Benning during his second week of Officers Candidate School on December 19, 1943. He graduated from The Infantry School in April, 1944 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Tom served forty months during the war, including twenty months in combat and occupation, in the European Theatre of Operations with the 275th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Company F as a rifle platoon leader of the 70th Infantry Division. During combat, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and was awarded two Bronze Stars for bravery, the Combat Infantry Badge, and three battle stars for the Rhineland, Ardennes/Alsace, and Central Europe. After V.E. Day, while still in Germany, he was ordered to report to the Labor Supervision Center near Rheims, France to become the Company Commander of the American company who was operating one of the German Prisoners of War Camps of 3500 ex-German draftees who were glad they were captured by the Americans rather than the Russians. Tom returned to the States in August, 1946 and was promoted to Captain before he was discharged from active duty.
He was a devoted member of the 70th Infantry Division Association during the rest of his life. He and his wonderful wife attended most all of the Biannual reunions of the Association. He made several trips back to his old battle grounds in France and Germany including a trip with his entire family. He regarded his comrades in combat as some of his most devoted and life-long friends, second only to his very loving and loyal family and the members of his church.
He and Mary Ann returned to Indiana University in the fall of 1946 in order for him to complete the last year and a half of his B.S. Degree in Chemistry. He graduated in the spring of 1948 and immediately accepted a position of Research Chemist with Commercial Solvents Corp. in Terre Haute where he would be working for the next 41 years, but under a number of company names. During his career he worked in both human and animal pharmaceuticals and feed additives; in radiation chemistry; biochemicals; F.D.A. Regulatory Affairs; Quality Control; Chief Chemist of the Terre Haute plant; and later, Director of International Sales and Marketing of the Veterinary Products Division. He served sixteen years in Research and Development, sixteen years in Production and Quality Control, and nine years in International Sales and Marketing for the Veterinary Products Division with responsibility for Western and Eastern Europe, South America, the Middle and Far East, Australia/New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Central America, and Mexico. While working at Commercial Solvents, he was able to acquire a Masters Degree in Chemistry at Indiana State University. While Director of F.D.A.Regulatory Affairs at I.M.C., he was appointed the National Chairman of the Animal Drug Section of the Animal Health Institute in Washington D.C. and later was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Animal Health Institute. During this time, he served as a consultant to the Director of Veterinary Medicine of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, representing the Animal Drug Industry during their efforts to secure approval of the European Economic Community for certain animal health products. This group met every six months, alternating between Geneva, Switzerland and Rome, Italy. He retired on December 31, 1989.
During his retirement years, he served as President of Camp Wabashi Christian Youth Camp;
President of Chapter 236 of Mended Hearts serving Union Hospital where he had served as a volunteer for 20 or more years; President of the Terre Haute Exchange Club; recipient of the Terre Haute Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds award and Outstanding Service award board member and District Director of the Exchange Clubs of the Wabash Valley; and founder and director of the Sullivan County Exchange Club.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, August 6, 2016 in Callahan Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street. Burial with Military Graveside Honors provided by VFW Post #3587 will be conducted at 5:00 P.M., August 6, 2016 in Otwell (IOOF) Cemetery, Otwell, Indiana. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, August 5th from 6:00-8:00 P.M. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, some may wish to make a memorial contribution to the Eastside Church of Christ, 4025 College Ave., Terre Haute, IN 47803 or gifts payable to the Wabash Valley Christian Youth Camp (Camp Wabashi) should be mailed to 3525 East Harlan Drive, Terre Haute, IN. 47802-8646. Funeral information may also be found at www.callahanandhughes.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John T. Craig, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, August 5, 2016
Starts at 6:00 am (Eastern time)
Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home
Funeral Services
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home
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