Craig J. Orange

Craig Jordan Orange September 9, 1926 - January 29, 2017 Craig Jordan Orange, 90, passed away in his sleep Sunday morning, January 29, 2017. Craig was a man of many talents: marine biologist, world traveler, hunter and fisherman, logger, sheep shearer, foster parent, senior citizen politician, avid gardener, sports fan, white water rafter, music lover, devoted husband, father and grandfather, community volunteer and all around good guy. Craig was born in the small town of Pilot Rock, Oregon. He first learned to shoot when his father put an empty box on a car fender and told him to shoot the box off - but not to hit the car. Craig’s first driving lesson came when loggers told him to drive a massive logging truck into town - even though he had never driven, let alone a stick shift on winding roads. His idyllic childhood changed when his father died in 1940, leaving Craig to largely raise himself. During World War II Craig was an army medic, learning skills that would later allow him to save a colleague’s life. Military service allowed him to attend college at Oregon State University, Corvallis. Craig enjoyed living at the Beaver Lodge, playing clarinet in the school band and studying fish and game. Putting his skills as a hunter and fisherman to good use, Craig became a marine biologist. Before moving to Southern California Craig married Kathy Carpenter, to whom he was married for 64 years. After working for Oregon Fish and Game Craig joined the Interamerican Tropical Tuna Commission in 1962, where he worked until he retired in 1986 as Chief Scientist. Craig did groundbreaking work identifying the life cycle of the skipjack tuna, resulting in numerous scholarly publications. He spent many months at sea on the tuna boats, tagging fish and helping catch tuna when his research was finished. Craig was tasked with overseeing Tuna Commission operations in many different countries throughout South America and the Pacific Islands. He and Kathy were able to travel extensively as part of his Commission work. Craig also helped introduce dolphin watchers to the US tuna fleet. Craig was always active in church and community volunteer work, and upon retirement he became even more active. He became a leader in AARP, which led him to be appointed to both the California Senior Legislature and the US Silver Haired Congress. As a representative Craig was instrumental in passing legislation to assist seniors, including medical fraud, waste and abuse. Craig worked with the San Diego District Attorney to curb elder abuse. He served as a member and past member of the San Diego Grand Jury. Craig’s additional community activities included donating more than 20 gallons of blood to the San Diego Blood Bank, serving the American Tunaboat Association, assisting the church mediate various issues, volunteering at several hospitals, and working to beautify San Diego Mission Bay. In addition to his community activities Craig and Kathy enjoyed traveling around the world. Craig, Kathy and daughter Laurie were able to take many sea cruises and Road Scholar tours. Craig thoroughly enjoyed life with his family and friends. Despite his failing health he always had a positive outlook and good words for everyone. He even hand made bracelets until the end of his life, to brighten the lives of friends, family and strangers. Craig is survived by his wife Kathy, daughter Laurie Orange and son in law Mike Bishop, daughter Joy Matthews (formerly known as Jodie Feldman), grandsons Kevin Feldman and Matt Feldman and his wife Claire Stewart Feldman, sister Jane Harper, son in law Bernie Feldman and his wife Laurel and daughter Natalie, and multiple cousins and relatives. His funeral service will be Saturday, February 4, 2017, at 2:00 pm, with visiting hours from 1:00 to 5:00 pm, at the Pacific Beach Chapel, 4710 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109, (858) 488-5553. Further information can be found at www.legacy.com/dignity-memorial, including a guest book for remembrances. If desired donations may be made in Craig’s memory to the Braille Institute of San Diego.