James Craig
James “Jim” Craig, 84, of Groves, died Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas, Port Arthur. He was born on March 12, 1935, in Dallas, to Kathryn Dill and Felix Adrian Craig.
Jim graduated from Beaumont High in 1953. He then joined the Naval Air Force for four years, where he operated the radar on air early warning aircrafts. While servicing x-ray equipment, Jim attended Lamar in Beaumont and graduated with his major in education and minor in mathematics. After a few years he graduated with his master’s degree in Educational Administration from Stephen F. Austin.
Mr. Craig began teaching in 1964. He taught at many schools including MacArthur Jr. High, South Park High School, Forest Park High School, and West Brook High School. He retired as Math Supervisor for BISD in 1989.
Jim enjoyed serving on the board of Education First Federal Credit Union for over thirty years. He enjoyed woodworking. His Lath Art pictures decorate the walls of many homes all along the gulf coast. He also enjoyed traveling with his family.
Jim is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Dianne Darnell Craig; daughter, Kelaine Konidis and her husband, Pete; and granddaughter, Kaylee Konidis, all of Groves; niece, Dolly Covington, of Kingwood; nephews, Randy Authement, of Boerne, Tom Gatch, of Houston, and Rick Authement, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; great-nephews and nieces, Jesse Covington and his wife, Samantha, of Austin; Katie Cole and her husband, Monte, of Kingwood; Craig Gatch and his wife, Michelle, of Seattle, Washington; and Rhonda Adams, of Utah; and great-great-nephew, Elijah Cole, of Kingwood.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ross Craig; sister, Doris Jean Authement; and nephew, Jerry Gatch.
A gathering of Mr. Craig’s family and friends will begin at 10:30 a.m., with his funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, September 21, 2019, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, New York 10163 or to an organization of one’s choice.
The family would like to thank Kindred Hospice and The Medical Center of Southeast Texas staff and nurses for their care.
Video
Magnolia Cemetery
Magnolia Cemetery
- 2291 pine st beaumont tx 77703
Funeral Service
Funeral Service
- 1605 n. major drive beaumont tx 77713
- 09/21/2019
- 12:00 pm
- 1605 n. major drive beaumont tx 77713
- 09/21/2019
- 9:10 am
Comments
Milton, Frances and Allardyce Family
We love you all, and we feel so blessed to have shared in Jim's friendship. Although we are miles away, we are together always in heart and spirit. We will hold loving memories of Jim in our hearts. Blessings and love to each of you.
Juliette Prejean Hearn
My deepest sympathies. He was one of my favorite teachers at Forest Park High School. .
john barton
My favourite teacher for Trig. I remember to this day his Navy stories SAR. Condolences to his family
Patrice Rabalais
I taught with Jim at West Brook-9. He was a wonderful math teacher and respected by his peers. He was such a dedicated teacher to students, and school district
paul and Shirley
Thanks for all the good times we shared, Jimmy. We love you Dianne.
Michele Jacobs
He was my favorite teacher at Forest Park. He always made math class a great experience. I am sorry for your loss.
Darlene Hart
Mr. Craig will always be a special person in my life. He was my Algebra 1 teacher at good old Mcarthur Junior High. He later became a friend and mentor as our paths crossed through the years. I think my love of math came from him. He and Mrs. Craig welcomed me every time I saw them. My prayers are with the family.
Kelley Carson
Mr. Craig was one of the best teachers I ever had, and a fabulous storyteller. He was good friend with my father and I saw my first Elvis Pressley movies at his house. It was on a reel-to-reel tape and the movie was "Spinout." I will never forget it. He will be missed but never forgotten.
James Callas
I always respected Mr. Craig and he was a super teacher and all-around good guy. I was a young math teacher a Hebert High for several years when I first met him, but the last time was when we were both teaching at the the WestBrook 9th grade (the Hebert Campus). I got to visit with him a lot then. He was teaching half a day and doing a great job. Wishing for more people like Mr. Craig to going to Teaching MATH.
Lon B Nesom
Mr. Craig was on e of my favorite teachers at McArther Jr.High. He was a great teacher and a great person. I also ran in to him on a few occasions out in public years later in life and of course I remembered him but could not get over the fact that he remembered me..Prayers for his family.
Don Green
Farewell Mr. Craig. Thank you for making Geometry fun and applicable to our lives. I have fond memories of your teaching style and welcoming classroom. Don Green Testing Coordinator Sam Rayburn High School FPHS 1974
Darrel Reece Hunter
Always have good memories of Diane and Jim (other than getting the mumps one Fall visiting). Jim created a board game.... Going to Nuevo Laredo to eat flautas at La Unica (reminds me of Uncle Charlie too).. Another Naval Veteran in family (though not like fishing with Album and my Dad, Reece)... Jim was the nicest guy to ever get mad at me (so low keyed... I still never thought he was angry)..
Leslie Ingram Magdaleno
It has always been Dianne and Jim since I was a child and I remember the laughter and kindness most of all. My love goes out to Dianne and Kelaine.. Jim was a big sweetie and he will be dearly missed.