Craig McDonald

Craig was born December 14, 1934, to Alex and Lola Craig McDonald in their home in Lubbock. Dr. Sam Dunn called him “Tumbleweed” because Craig was “the only harvest that year.”

He attended Dupre Elementary School, Carroll Thompson Junior High and graduated from Lubbock High School in May, 1953. He was a student council vice president representing the agriculture classes, a member of the meat judging team and the livestock judging team, both of which went to the State Finals; Future Farmers of America, Science Club and the art club.

The Boy Scouts of America organization was an important part of his extracurricular activity, having an exceptional scoutmaster in “Chief” Frank Runkles who taught his boys Indian lore and fancy-dancing in depth. Craig achieved the Eagle Scout rank and is a member of the Order of the Arrow. Because of his ongoing interest in scouting as an adult, he served several times on the Advisory Board of the South Plains Council of the BSA.

He received a BSBA degree in Finance from the University of Denver in 1956. In 1957 he volunteered for the military draft and served in the U. S. Army two years. He was a clerk/typist at Fort Lewis in Washington state for a year and a desk clerk in the Military Police in Bordeaux and Saumur, France, for a year. He was honorably discharged in 1959.

Craig began learning to be a farmer in central Crosby County with the help of Uel Arthur who had been working for Alex McDonald after world War II. Craig lived in the concrete and stucco house built in 1914 where his grandparents, Fred and Alpha Craig, had lived for 20 years.

In January 1960, he became reacquainted with a Lubbock High classmate, Ann Weaver, and they married in May.

Craig was president twice of the Rotary Club of Ralls as well as the Crosby County Farm Bureau. He also served as a member of the Ralls School Board and a director of the Ralls Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. He was made a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International in the 1970’s.

He was honored in 1962 as Conservationist of the Year; Ralls Citizen of the Year in 1965; and Agriculturist of the Year in 1983.

In 1973 he became a director of the First National Bank of Lubbock after the death of his father. He served on the Audit and Loan Committees until the bank sold in 1983.

In 1969 he became a partner in Hurst Farm Supply John Deere dealership with L. J. “Red” Hurst in Lorenzo. Craig’s brother Mickey became a partner not long after that. Joe Hurst, one of Red’s sons, became manager after Red’s death. During that time the company added stores in Crosbyton, Lubbock, Slaton, Abernathy, Snyder and Colorado City. The company sold in 2022.

In 1990 Craig earned his private pilot’s license and bought a Piper Cherokee 235. He became instrument-rated in 1996. Ann also took flying lessons but declined to get her license. She served as navigator over the 15 years that they enjoyed flying. Their most exciting trip was the 42-day flight in a rented Piper Arrow around Australia in 1997 with pre-planned landings at 22 airports. They presented a slide show using Ann’s photographs at the 1998 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association national convention in Palm Springs.

Craig became a member of the Llano Estacado Emmaus Community after his Walk in 2000. He hosted his Reunion Group for many years.

Craig served in many volunteer leadership positions which included director of the Panhandle-South Plains Fair Association, the Children’s Home of Lubbock Foundation, Lubbock Christian University Board of Trustees, and an elder of Broadway church of Christ.

Because of their long-time love of music and especially jazz, Craig and Ann supported the annual Caprock Jazz Festival along with the Roots Historical Arts Council.

In April 2024, Craig and Ann were honored as “Champions of the Arts” by the Lubbock Arts Alliance.

Craig died peacefully at home Sunday, February 2, surrounded by family. Survivors are Ann, his wife of 64 years; children Karen Louis and husband John of Fairview, TX; Eric of Lubbock; and Laura Stewart and husband Joey of Dallas. Grandchildren are Sonia Louis Masilamani and husband TJ, London, England; Ian McDonald and Trevor McDonald, Lubbock; David Louis and wife Haley, Fairview TX. Great-grandchildren are Oliver and Esme Masilamani and Henry and Leah Louis. Also his sister-in-law Susie McDonald of Lorenzo and Rockport along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Conny Martin and her husband C. B. Martin; sister Betty Peak; brother Fred and his wife Sammie; and brother Mickey.

Ann and everyone are grateful for the loving help provided by Nichole, Johanna, Amanda, Sandy, Sulema, Linda and Renee.

In lieu of flowers donations could be made to the Children’s Home of Lubbock, High Point Village, Meals on Wheels or a charity of one’s choice.

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