Merlin F. Craig

Merlin Francis Craig was born on January 16, 1928 at the Tracy Hospital in Tracy, Minnesota to Laurance and Catherine Craig. He grew up attending several country schools, then graduating from Tracy High School in 1946. He had a love of setting animal traps and selling the skins- once on the way to school, he checked the traps and found a skunk. Needless to say, the teacher sent him home. His big disappointment was when his Dad promised to give him half a litter of pigs when the sow delivered- the sow delivered one pig. Merlin was drafted into the US Army when he was a senior in high school – he was deferred so he could complete his senior year. After graduation, he volunteered on September 23, 1946. He was discharged on March 17, 1948- served most of that time in Korea. After returning to Minnesota, he enrolled at Bovles College (a telegraphy school) in Omaha, NE. He worked part-time at UPRR and ushered at the Dundee Theater. He then drove Greyhound Bus for three years. His love of driving over the road became an interest. He then became owner/operator with Lipsman-Fulkerson Trucking. He met his wife-to-be, Jacqueline, on her 21st birthday. Two and a half years later they were married at St. Cecilia’s Cathedral on June 20, 1959. Merlin took a respite from trucking briefly and worked as a salesman for Cook Paint. He drove for Safeway Stores, Red Ball Express, and finally with PIE (Pacific Intermountain Express) till retirement in January 1991. He also was employed after retirement as a security guard at a few security companies principally Pinkerton at Kutak Rock Law Firm for 13 plus years. He was an avid reader (no fiction). He kept a meticulous lawn and loved it- never went to a carwash- he washed his vehicles in the cold of winter with his rubber gloves. He was a helpful partner with all forms of housework. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; son, Paul (Gaele); daughters Kathleen (Douglas) Wright, Lisa (Michael) Jefferson; 14 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren; sisters, Mary Darlene Bernardy and Mary Catherine Hoeniger; brother, William (Carole) Craig. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Larry; brother-in-laws, John Hoeniger and Randy Bernardy. Memorials to be directed to: Josie Harper Hospice House 7415 Cedar St Omaha, NE 68124