Robert "Bob" Owen Craddock

Bob was born into a ranching family on February 24, 1950 in Seminole Texas to Billy D. Craddock and Lola Faye (Good) Craddock. While growing up in Texas, he lived in many towns including Andrews, Cranfills Gap, Walnut Springs, Iredell, Brackettville and lastly, Tarpley.

Bob graduated from Bandera High School, Bandera Texas in May, 1968. He immediately joined the Coast Guard, following in Tom, his older brother's, footsteps. While at basic training in Alameda, California, he was selected to join the Honor Guard because of his height. He had many opportunities to perform at parades, football games, and other events. After basic training, he was hoping that he would be stationed in faraway stations, like his older brother who was stationed in Hawaii and Nantucket Ma. Instead, they stationed Bob in Corpus Christi and then eventually Galveston. Although he didn’t see the world, he did have a chance to see the Panama Canal and cross over the Equator. He served a total of four years.

While living in Houston, Texas, he was hired by Eckerd Drug Store and later requested a transfer to Austin Texas to be near his family. He got hired by the City of Austin and worked for UCSO/Austin Energy-Metering Dept Feb 1, 1976 thru Feb 28, 2005. A few years after retiring from the city, he was hired to be the Director of St. Vincent De Paul food pantry at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church and worked there for about 10 years.

Bob married Sue Ann (Ross) Craddock March 30, 1973 at the Harmony Wedding Chapel in Houston immediately following his release from the Coast Guard. They repeated their vows on March 30, 1974 in a private ceremony at St Francis Cabrini Catholic Church, also in Houston. They were blessed with their only daughter, Christine Ann, who Bob always called his #1 daughter and truly "Daddy’s Little Girl".

Bob’s wife and daughter were both raised Catholic and never forced him to become one, so it became a surprise when he mentioned he wanted to become a catholic and signed up for RCIA. He became one with the Lord and Catholic Faith, on April 10, 2004 when he was baptized, received his first communion, and confirmed.

Bob was an avid sports watcher. He loved all Texas professional teams, but his favorite teams to cheer and “yell at" were the Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs and Texas Rangers. Living in Austin he also became a Texas Longhorn Fan of football, basketball, and baseball. For years he was a season ticket holder to the Lady Longhorn Basketball games, and he and Sue Ann traveled to Kentucky to watch the Lady Horns when the National Championship in 1986. In January 2006, they both went to see the Longhorn Football team win the 2005 National Championship Title.

Bob loved watching sports, but when he wasn’t, he enjoyed watching old western movies and tv shows with favorites like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. He was a conservative through and through and enjoyed listening to Rush, Glenn, and Fox News.

Bob and his wife enjoyed visiting Alaska and also went on two cruises. His wife told him that they would move to Sitka Alaska when they retired but never happened. There were several family vacation trips to Branson, Missouri, and also across the US and into Canada.

Bob was a wonderful, thoughtful husband and a proud, caring father. Christine would always say that she is her father’s daughter. His fellow employees enjoyed working with him and still consider him as a special, caring man.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Lola Craddock; and his brother, Tom.

Bob is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sue Ann; daughter, Christine Ann; brothers, Perry (Cathy) Clifton of San Antonio; Ike (Amy) of Medina; Mike (Nancy) Craddock of Rocksprings; Hoby (Sandy) Craddock of Bandera; sister-in-law, Karen of Sandwich, MA; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A special expression of gratitude from our family is given to the Nurses and Doctors at St. David's South Austin Medical Center, the Nursing staff at both West Oak Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center and Southpark Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Austin. A special thank you to Bethany, Isela, Susan, Rose, Bridget, Michelle, Vanessa, Maria Theresa, Yolanda, Albert, Troy and Jared for doing so much and at times, going above and beyond to help Bob.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to organizations such as:

Wounded Warrior: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/

American Heart Association: https://www2.heart.org/

American Diabetes Association: https://www.diabetes.org/donate

Central Texas Foodbank: https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/

REMEMBER ME...

Fill not your heart with pain and sorrow, but remember me in every tomorrow. Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles, I've only gone to rest a little while. Although my leaving causes pain and grief,

my going has eased my hurt and given me relief. So dry your eyes and remember me not as I am now, but as I use to be. Because I will remember you all and look on with a smile, understand, in your hearts, I've only gone to rest a little while. As long as I have the love of each of you, I can live my life in the hearts of all of you.