Uncle Dan

I don't really know how to properly begin this post so I guess I'll just write as things come.  I found out yesterday morning that my Great Uncle Dan passed away in the middle of the night.  He had esophageal cancer (among others) and after fighting for three years, lost his battle.  He was such a wonderful man who loved his family more than anything in the world.  Many of my childhood memories involve my Uncle Dan.  Especially Christmas time.  We are all going to miss him so much.  My sister, Millie and I are heading to Houston tomorrow for his funeral.  Thank you everyone for your prayers and kind words.  We are so blessed to have you all in our lives.

Ecclesiastes 3:1- 

For everything there is a season,
      a time for every activity under heaven.
 A time to be born and a time to die.
      A time to plant and a time to harvest.
 A time to kill and a time to heal.
      A time to tear down and a time to build up.
 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
      A time to grieve and a time to dance.
 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
      A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
      A time to keep and a time to throw away.
 A time to tear and a time to mend.
      A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
 A time to love and a time to hate.
      A time for war and a time for peace.

Daniel Layne Craig, After a wonderful life and a heroic three-year fight against esophageal and kidney cancer, Daniel Layne Craig, 65, passed away Monday, May 2, 2011 with his loving wife Barbara Craig at his side. Dan was born March 2, 1946 in the Panhandle Texas town of Lark to the late E.S. "Buddy" and Lona Craig. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Craig; big brother Bob Craig and wife, Carole; his daughter Cristl Craig Hogg and husband Chad; and his son, Jason Allen Craig and wife Berenice. He is also survived by his loving stepchildren, Shane Henry, Chris Colvert, and Merideth Geisselbrecht and husband Brandon. "Dano" will also be greatly missed by his numerous grandchildren including Michaela, Alex, Tucker, Walker, Jack, Kathryn, Emma and Chris.
After earning the nickname "The Golden God of Groom" through his many high school accolades and academic achievements including multiple letters in Varsity sports, achieving many show awards in livestock, being named his high school valedictorian, and achieving an uncannily high SAT score, Dan left the small farming community of Groom to attend Texas Tech University for one year followed shortly by The University of Texas at Austin where he graduated with the designation of summa cum laude. From there he took his big brothers advice and continued his education at the Harvard Business School where he earned his MBA.
As the small town boy was enjoying a new career in finance at Texas Commerce Bank in Houston, the mother of his children, Laura tragically fell victim to breast cancer. Although a struggle, Dan refused to quit. He remarried his wonderful present wife Barbara together with her loving children. The house was a full and fun one, a new family, six children living under one roof. Throughout the following years Dan continued to enjoy an exciting career working with such companies as McKinsey & Co. and A.T. Kearney, traveling the world as Director of Business Administration. Finally, Dan settled down to give back to the community by pursuing one of his passions as he taught mathematics to high school students in the Spring Branch School District.
Dan was also preceded in death by his sister Dede Rea and her husband Jim and stepdaughter Cheryl Henry. Dan will be dearly missed by his wife, children, brother, grandchildren and many other family and friends. A Memorial Service celebrating Dan's life will take place beginning with a welcoming at 5:30pm followed by service at 6:30pm on Thursday, May 5, 2011, at the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079. Pastor Mikelson will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations made to American Cancer Society for Esophageal or Kidney Cancer would be greatly appreciated.
 I love you Uncle Dan!