Obituary of Thomas J. Craig

On Saturday, January 5, 2019, Father Thomas James Craig, devoted son, brother and faithful servant of our Lord, passed away at the age of 66.Fr. Tom was Born to James and Louise (Barrick) Craig, in Midwest City, OK., On May 25, 1952. The family moved to Wichita Falls, TX, where he attended Notre Dame Catholic High School and Midwestern State University. He served our country, for six years, in the Coast Guard reserve during the height of the Vietnam war. Fr. Tom attended Tarrant County College earning an associate degree in electronic technology, and then graduated from Texas Christian University with a BA in Philosophy and Religion. After attending a young men’s retreat, and opening his heart to God’s call, Fr. Tom entered Saint Meinrad’s Seminary, graduated with a Master of Divinity degree, and was Ordained into the Priesthood on June 26, 1982, at St. Ann parish in BurlesonFr. Tom ministered to many parishes in North Texas, including the small community parishes that looked forward to his time and commitment. His longest Pastoral assignments were to St. Catherine of Siena in Carrolton, and Saint Vincent de Paul in Arlington, where he developed many deep and lasting friendships. He was still active with the Saint Vincent de Paul men’s club until his passing, and played golf with the same men’s group for over 20 years. Fr. Tom began serving as the Diocesan Director, Propagation of the Faith and Chair on the Diocesan Mission Council in 2016. He considered this work to be the “love of his life”, and devoted himself to spreading the joy of missionary work throughout the Ft. Worth Diocese.Fr. Tom was a bit of a renaissance man. He loved traveling, theater, and crafting with his hands in his woodshop. He took time every few years to travel abroad with parishioners that shared his zeal for life. His adventures took him to Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Russia, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Vienna, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, England, Wales, Italy, and Sicily. He enjoyed a Mediterranean Cruise that included Greece, Turkey, Spain and Portugal, and his most recent trip was to Scotland. He was also a lover of science fiction, musical theater, and the arts in general. For more than twenty years he attended the Dallas Broadway musical series with a small group of friends. He was an artist with wood, building furniture, wonderful toys and novelties that are cherished by his family and friends.Fr. Tom was patient and kind, and gave generously of both his talent and treasure. His was a life of service, love and compassion and the example of his commitment to those in need will serve as a goal to all who knew him.Fr Tom is preceded in death by his father James Prescott Craig, nephew Joseph Thomas Craig, and niece Holly Victoria McBride.He is survived by his loving mother, Louise Elizabeth (Barrick), 5 Brothers: John Craig (Margie), Paul Craig (Connie), Donald Craig (Karen), Daniel Craig (Tracey), Christopher Craig (Shari) and 3 sisters: Judy Koetter (David), Julia McBride (Joe) and Maryellen Burns (Andy), two God-daughters: Katherine Phennell, and Rachel Buckley, twenty-five nieces and nephews, and twenty-four great nieces and nephews.