James (Jim) Craig

James (Jim) Craig, inveterate adventurer and all-around nutjob, took his
last trip (perhaps literally!) on March, 26, 2022. He was his own man
and lived on his own terms, surprising everyone with his sudden
departure. He is survived by his sisters Linda Craig Piotter and Debra
Sue Craig, his brother Jeffrey Alan Craig, and his beloved dog Jake.


James was a daredevil, never afraid to rush headlong into anything that
appealed to his derring-do nature. While he often referred to himself as
the “black sheep of the family”, it wasn’t that he was poorly behaved,
it’s just that he had a thrill-seeking streak in him that often led to…
unfortunate outcomes. His sister Deb learned this the hard way when she
followed him down the backside of a double black diamond ski slope,
shattering her kneecap in the process, an act of folly she’ll never
forget. We always knew that another good story was around the corner
when James would call up and start the conversation by saying, “You’re
not gonna like this, but…”.


Like when Jim, his mom, and his brother Jeff vacationed in Hawaii. Jim
announced at the end of the trip that he was staying in Hawaii. Which
was quite a surprise to Jeff and Jim’s dog Ganja, both of whom were
living with him at the time! Jim ended up staying in Hawaii for well
over 6 months, living on the beach in the back of an old station wagon
he bought for $300. Simply another chapter in the zany life of our
favorite swashbuckler!


Jim loved to travel and was lucky enough to ski the Alps in Switzerland,
France, and Italy, sleep on the beaches in Jamaica and Hawaii, and savor
the nightlife of Amsterdam. His lust for travel brought him to
Tennessee, where he enjoyed racing his motorcycles through the Tail of
the Dragon in Deals Gap. James eventually moved to Tennessee and
established a thriving electrical contracting company, a continuation of
his years of service as a Master Electrician.


Life slowed down a bit for James after an awful motorcycle accident on
the back roads of Tennessee. He had extensive open-heart surgery and an
epiphany of sorts that led him to enjoy Sunday services at Maryville’s
1st United Methodist Church. James would often show up in his “Sunday
Best”, a suit he bragged about finding at a second-hand store and wore
with pride. Some folks say he had a bad “ticker”, but those who really
knew him know that he had a heart of gold.


James was a fixture in the small community of Maryville, Tennessee and
was often seen walking his dog Jake, enjoying a treat at the Maryville
Corner Market, or tending his backyard garden. Always ready to lend a
hand, he was a character of the first degree and will be missed by his
family, friends, and community. Jim, we hope you’re having the time of
your life! Salut!


James (Jim) Howard Craig was the second of four children born to Clyde
Howard Craig and Patricia Ann Craig. Jim was born in Toledo, Ohio on
July 31, 1958 and passed away on March 26, 2022.


The family owes a deep debt of gratitude to Carey and Stacey Petersen,
without whom James would not have been able to live alone in the comfort
of his home.


No flowers or donations, please. James would be happy if you’d stop by
the Maryville Corner Market, have a cup of coffee or a bite to eat, and
thank them for their years of generosity and kindness.


A memorial service will be on 14-May-2022 from 5PM - 7PM at the
Friendship Shelter at 1st United Methodist Church, 804 Montvale Station
Road, Maryville, Tennessee. Bring your best tales of derring-do by our
beloved buccaneer.