Clifford S. Craig, age 85, of Plano, Texas, passed away July 29, 2015. Clifford was born December 26, 1929, in Tallahassee, Florida, to Russel Clyde and Lassie (Fretwell) Craig. He married Marfesa Sue Lindamood on August 14, 1955, in Tallahassee. Clifford proudly served in the United States Navy as a fighter pilot, his boyhood dream since his first plane ride with this brother, Thomas Elwyn Craig who was a fighter pilot in the Army Air Corp. During his Navy career, Cliff flew many different aircraft, among them, the F4D Skyray which held the world climb record at the time he was flying it. The Skyray was the only aircraft he flew with an afterburner. When he and his wife were newlyweds, Cliff would plugin in the afterburner over their house on the way back to the base from his final flight of the day to let his wife know that he’d be home soon. During His time in the Fighting VF-92 “Silver Kings” squadron, Cliff flew F9F-2 Panthers off of the aircraft carrier Philippine Sea, affectionately called the “Phil Sea.” Out of all the planes he flew, though, the F8F Bearcat remained his all-time favorite. Cliff later flew for American Airlines, retiring from them in 1989. Cliff later flew for American Airlines as Captain on the 727 and retired flying Co-pilot on the 747 to Tokyo, Japan.
He is survived by his daughters, Janis Kay Craig Jones and husband, Michael of Midland, Texas and Wendy Craig-Payne and husband, William of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren Jared Jones and wife, Abbie, Samuel Jones, and Sydney Jones; and great grandson, Nate Neyman.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 2, 2015, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Allen, Texas. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Hospice Compassus, 12222 Merit Drive, Dallas, Texas, 75251. Please include the information that your donation is in the memory of Cliff Craig so that the family is able to express their gratitude.