Johnny James Craig Sr.

Johnny James Craig, 97, passed away on July 26, 2023. Johnny was born on April 12, 1926 in Big Foot, Texas in Frio County. He was the son of Everett James Craig and Agnes Lola Dunkin.

He attended school in Big Foot, but left before his senior year to work in the oilfield. In February 1945, he enlisted in the Army Infantry. He was an excellent shot with a rifle, therefore, earned a sharpshooter medal. In Big Foot, meat for the table consisted of whatever was around the house, i.e. squirrel, rabbits, dove and quail.

Johnny was on a troop transport traveling to Japan when the atomic bombs were dropped. His troop was transported in open trucks around Nagasaki as a test to see the effect of an atomic bomb on US soldiers. He served with the 100th Military Government Headquarters and Headquarters Company and also the Osaka Military Government Team in Japan. Johnny was in charge of taking Japanese war factories and readying them to be moved to the Republic of China. He left the army in November 1946 at the rank of Sergeant Administrative N.C.O.

After returning to Texas, he resumed oilfield work and met the woman he vowed to marry at Club Southern in Brenham, Texas. Mary Louise Wiecker and Johnny James Craig were married on January 9, 1950. They had three children, Patricia Kay Clark, Janis Ann Lansford and Johnny James Craig, Jr. During his oilfield career the family traveled to Libya, North Africa, Indonesia and Alaska. In Borneo, he worked alongside of Red Adair when a well he was drilling ran into lava flow. Johnny retired to his wife’s land in Austin County where he ran a small cattle operation.

Johnny James Craig is a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas by way of his great, great, great grandfather, James George who died March 6, 1836 in the final assault of the Alamo.

Johnny is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou, oldest daughter, Patricia Kay Clark and five siblings, Grace Dalton, Douglas Craig, Juanita Davis, Everett Craig and Melba Craig Franklin. He is survived by his brother Tommy G. Craig, daughter Janis Lansford (Jones Lansford), son, Johnny James Craig, Jr. (Sally Wrench), son in law, Dana Clark, grandchildren; Matthew and Bruce Clark, Jones Lansford, Jr., Laralee Lansford Pankey, Megan and Sean Craig. Great grandchildren, Katherine Garrett, Austin Clark, Samantha Kay and Jones (Trey) Lansford, III, Zachary, Sydney and Cameron Pankey, Matthew (Ashton) Frazier and Allison Frazier; one great-great granddaughter, Elizabeth Garrett; and step grandchildren.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel and online condolences may be shared with
the family at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com.