Robert M. Craig, Jr., died peacefully on August 14, 2020 at home with his wife and three of his children at his side. Robert was born to Robert M. Craig, Sr and Arrye V. (Tant) Craig on March 24, 1954 in Columbia, South Carolina.
Robert worked for over 45 years in various engineering fields as a Piping Designer. Serving the last 13 years as Senior Lead Piping Designer at Burns & McDonnell in Kansas City, Kansas, where he had recently retired. Besides his dedicated career, Robert was an avid outdoorsmen and loved to cook for family and friends. Food was his way of showing love, with many memories made around pots of gumbo or jambalaya, platters of deep fried turkey, and racks of endless cookies. Being outdoors fishing and hunting was where he taught his children to respect and be in awe of nature. The legacy of sharing great food and outdoor adventure is carried on by his children with their sons and daughters.
He met his wife Tamara A. George while working at a DOE facility in South Carolina. They married in November of 1992 in North Augusta, South Carolina. Together they created a diverse and beautiful blended family.
Robert is survived by his wife Tamara A. Craig, his five children, fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Sons Robert M. Craig III of Bowman, SC; Bryan (Crystal) Craig of Branchville, SC; and Jordan Craig Olathe, KS. Daughters Ashley (Brandon) Summers of Branchville, SC and Shannon Byers (Joe Wynne) of Arcata, CA; He is also survived by three sisters Betty Ann Barber, Susan (Larry) Dorr, and Harriet Hughes and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Robert M. Craig, Sr. & Arrye Craig and his in-laws Frank R. George, Sr. & Helen George.
The family has decided to coordinate a celebration of life at their home by sharing one of the passions he passed on to his kids, food. As it is the time of COVID we will be practicing social distancing between the home and yard while sharing jambalaya, gumbo, cookies and drinks from 1p to 5p this coming Sunday, August 23, 2020. Any friend of Roberts can contact his wife through text to get location.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in Robert’s honor to one of the following: The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), Nourish KC or your local food pantry. To encourage future generations of outdoorsmen like Robert, and to share the gift of a good meal to those most in need.
Condolences may be offered at www.McGilley-Frye.com
