CWO-5 Craig F. Wojtowicz USMC (Ret.)

Craig Francis Wojtowicz was born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 11, 1951 to Frank and Genevieve Wojtowicz. He attended schools in Cleveland, Ohio and San Antonio, Texas, graduating from McCollum High School in San Antonio in 1969. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and reported to MCRD San Diego, California in August 1969. He completed Infantry Training in December 1969 and was deployed to Vietnam in March of 1969.

He came back from Vietnam in March 1970 and was stationed on Treasure Island (between San Francisco and Oakland, California). This is where he met his future wife Pam Terry who came to the base to see her lifelong friend, Jennifer Fay. Pam and all her family met Craig as “Tex”. Craig and Pam were married on October 20, 1973 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Carnation, Washington.

Craig started his career in Finance with the Corps at Treasure Island. They were transferred to Camp Smith in Honolulu, Hawaii in May 1974. They left Hawaii for Camp Pendleton, California in May 1978. Craig was selected as a Warrant Officer in June 1981 and reported to Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia in February 1982. He was lucky that his brother and sister-in-laws, Bob and Lynette Suman were stationed at Quantico, so Pam was able to visit him. After graduating, he returned to Camp Pendleton for 5 more years. During this time, he was given a one year Sabbatical to attend school full time and finish up his BA in Finance with a Minor in Business. He graduated Suma Cum Laude from Chapman University in Orange, California in June, 1986. He was then transferred to the Marine Corps Finance Center in Kansas City, Missouri in 1987. He was promoted to Branch Head and managed all centralized payments and collections for the Center with an average Disbursement of $500 million and Collections of $300 million every 30 days.

Craig was transferred back to Camp Pendleton in 1992 and was there until 1995 when he was sent to Okinawa, Japan. Craig was selected for CWO-5 in 1995. He was the first ever CWO-5 for the Marine Corps in the Finance Division. He was promoted in Okinawa with a large promotion ceremony and party. His wife Pam and cousin Arica Johnson were able to fly over and attend the ceremony and spend a couple of weeks with him. Craig’s last tour was at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. He was there from January 1996 to June 1999, when he retired after 30 years. He was at the top of his field. He received a number of Distinguished Awards and Medals over his 30 year career.

He was truly an Officer and a Gentleman!!!

Craig’s greatest joy was born on May 15, 1998 in Tacoma, Washington. He adored his daughter, Brianna Michelle Wojtowicz from the start and never waivered. Their ritual of him fixing her and him breakfast and then eating together started when she was a baby and continued until he was too sick to do it.

The family moved to Texas when Craig retired from the Corps and ended up in Austin, where Craig worked for a nonprofit Foundation. He was very involved in his Community. Craig and Pam were frequent volunteers at all schools Brianna attended. Craig was elected to the Villages of Shady Hollow HOA Board in 2003 and served as President from 2005 until 2011. He also was on the OHAN Board, PTSA President at Bailey Middle School for 2 years and President of the Bailey Orchestra Booster Club.

Craig is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Pamela Jo Terry Wojtowicz and his beloved daughter, Brianna Michelle Wojtowicz. He also has a brother, Frank Wojtowicz and a nephew, Frankie in Cleveland, Ohio. Craig is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-laws, Bob & Lynette Suman, Mike & Margie Terry, Darrell & Loretta Underhill, and Vicki Terry all in Washington State. There are nieces and nephews and many other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Craig’s memory to the Texas Wounded Warriors Foundation, 4301 Fillbrook Lane, Tyler, Texas, 75707 or Without Regrets Foundation, P. O. Box 1586, Dripping Springs, Texas, 78620.