Lawrence Lee Craig

Larry was born November 27, 1937 in San Pedro, CA and was received into the loving arms of God November 4, 2016 at his home in Bremerton. Because his father was in the Navy, they lived several places before settling down in Tacoma WA, where he attended elementary school through high school, attending Stadium High School "The most beautiful school in the world." He reveled in the fact that his classmates remained so close over the years. He joined the US Marine Corps after graduation and became an electronics technician. After the military, he attended the University of Washington, graduating with a Bachelors in Architecture.

Larry had several passions, the greatest of these was his family. While stationed in the Marine Corps in Millington, TN, he met the love of his life, Toby, brought her home to Washington State and was married to her for 57 years (58 in December 2016). They had two sons, Paul and Joe, whom he loved with his whole heart. After living in several areas of Seattle, then California, and after returning to the Northwest, lived in several parts of Kitsap County, finally building a home in Poulsbo (it was physically built by Larry, his sons, grandson and a couple of friends, with his mom & wife being the "clean-up crew" and "go-fers").

He was also passionate about being a Marine, an architect and an ardent sailor. He didn't serve in combat while in the Marines, serving between the Korean War and Vietnam, but would have in a minute had he been called to do so. He was a real patriot! The closest he got was going to Cuba for an incident, but they were called back to Beaufort SC. He would have gladly died for his country. He was so proud that he was a Marine.

The last year he was in the school of Architecture, he went to his professor and asked if he could have a real client to do a project for as his senior project. At this, the Dean of the school introduced him to Father Treacy and Rabbi Levine, who had the TV progam, Challenge, and were trying to build their first building in the Ecumenical Camp they had planned. They gave the project to Larry and had the Seattle Rotary Club fund the project. He became the leader of a group of 13 students, who would go on to survey the land, clear the land, design the dormitory and building the dormitory. They named themselves Environ 68 and it was dedicated with both Father Treacy and Rabbi Levine there with Govenor Dan Evans giving the speech. This dormitory is still used today and the camp has really grown, where people from different faiths, ethnic and racial backgrounds could come together and learn from one another and still do to this day. In his later years he felt this was the most significant project he ever did and it really started his love of wanting to see world peace. He even got a web site started about World Peace and talked to many about this. I think he knew he would never see it, but was passionate about it anyway. He designed many beautiful places through his career, including a park in Ephrata WA (Oasis Park). He also built some of those projects. He practiced architecture in Seattle for many years both with his partner Rich Lawson and alone, being involved in some of the historic designations given in Pioneer Square and one historical building in Tacoma. After 16 years of the partnership and the decline in the economy, the partnership dissolved. Larry wanted to go into development and his company did design and build a couple of homes, but the economy was not to oblige and he went back to architecture, going to California to work in an engineering company as their lead architect. He worked with them until cancer was detected and he decided to return to the Northwest. He worked in Seattle for awhile, then on his own again in Kitsap County. When he became too ill to practice any longer, he closed his practice. It was a very difficult time for him.

Larry lived life to the fullest, enjoying many sports and activities from Rugby to windsurfing and many others in between. Learning to sail after he built a 9' pram in their basement, he went on to study on his own about sailing regarding the weather and tides. That same year the family chartered a small sailboat and sailed up into Puget Sound and returned through Deception Pass. For a couple of years they chartered sailboats until he ran across the International 14 (I-14) Fleet sailing in Puget Sound off Shilshole Marina. Buying a boat later, and not really knowing exactly what it was (an International 14), he called the owner to help him put it together. Along with his partner in his architectural firm, he sailed it and was hooked! He went on to design and build at least 8 other I-14s. He sailed in numerous regattas, both local, national and world championships for over 20+ years. He loved sailing that boat the the friendships if provided along the way. Returning to the Northwest after the cancer was diagnosed, he decided to change his priorities. He missed racing the rest of his life.

Last year Larry was diagnosed with Alzheimers, then in April of 2016 was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and with both this and the cancer, continued to decline until he left us to join his new home.

Larry is survived by his wife, Toby, son Joe, grandson Joshua, great-grandson Levi, sisters-in-law Marcy Craig & Pansy Hess and several nieces and nephews and one cousin. He is predeceased by his son Paul; his parents Edie & George Bennett; his brother Dennis; and his brother-in-law Sonny Hess. His cousin Steve passed away the week after Larry.

He was a great guy, loving, funny, honest and caring. We shall always miss him and his great smile. He said he was looking forward to going to Heaven - Welcome Home Marine! OohRah!!.

Celebration of Life service will be on December 10th at 1 p.m. at Gateway Fellowship, 8th Avenue NE & Hostmark in Poulsbo. Donations to Coffee Oasis or any VA organization for homeless or injured veterans. He was deeply touched by the plight of the homeless youth in Kitsap County and situations facing veterans.

Thanks go to VA Home Health and Franciscan Hospice for the care and caring given to Larry and the family during his illness.

Arrangements under the direction of Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home, Bremerton, WA.