Norman Sturdy Craig
November 13, 1933-July 16, 2013
Norman was born in Lawrence, Kansas, to Everett E. and Elizabeth E. Craig. He was the fourth of six children, older sisters Ruth and Jean, older brother Charles and younger brothers Lawrence and Kenneth. He attended school in Lawrence, and after high school received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas where he majored in Industrial Engineering.
While enrolled at KU, he enlisted in the Army and served as a communications specialist while he was stationed in Germany. After receiving his degree Norm headed west to Seattle, WA where he was hired by The Boeing Company in 1959. Soon thereafter he met the love of his life Darlene J. Kleve. They were married on November 21, 1962.
Norm’s career spanned over 36 years in the Defense and Space Group of Boeing. One of the highlights of his tenure at Boeing occurred in 1990-1992 when Norm and Darlene moved to Lincoln, England as part of the AWACS Program. He often referred to these two years as a “wonderful gift” as it provided an opportunity to travel throughout Europe and inspired future trips to Turkey, Israel, England, France, and Norway.
Norm was an extremely devoted family man and loving husband for more than 50 years. In 1995, he retired and pursued many varied interests which included woodworking, investing, and gardening. Norm and Darlene were active members of the Eastside Fuchsia Society which included work at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church was also extremely important to Norm. He especially enjoyed the Men’s Bible Study that met twice a month on Saturday mornings.
He was preceded in death by his parents Everett and Elizabeth Craig, one sister Jean Spomer, and one brother Charles Craig. He is survived by his loving wife Darlene of 50 years; son Steven (Johanna) of Sammamish, WA and son Eric (Jennifer) of Atlanta, GA and daughter Julianne (Mike) Martret of Newcastle, WA; sister Ruth Ellen Craig of Corvallis, OR; brothers Lawrence Craig of Baldwin, KS and Kenneth Craig of Valencia, CA; grandchildren Callie, Anna, and Audrey Craig, Megan, Everett and Peter Craig, and Grace and Hannah Martret; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held at 1 pm Wednesday, July 24 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Mercer Island, WA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Norm’s name are suggested to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8501 SE 40th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040 or ELCA World Hunger, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764, www.elca.org/hunger.
Friends and family are invited to view photos, get directions and share memories in the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com. Flintoft’s Funeral Home, 425-392-6444.
