Garry Craig

Garry Duane Craig, age 75 of Mannington, WV passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 23, 2023. He was born March 22, 1948 in Four States, WV to the late Claude Craig and Mildred Groves Parrish. He was a Baptist by faith who married the love of his life Charlotte Ann Bates Craig on September 4, 1971 until her death on August 24, 2013.

Garry graduated from Lakeview High School in Cortland, OH on June 7, 1966 and joined the United States Army serving in Vietnam from July 11, 1966 to February 15, 1969. He worked for and retired from CONSOL Coal Com. in 2008 after 37 years of being an electrician and mechanic as well as a dispatcher for the mines. After retiring, he worked for Northern Sales in Mannington with his “Big Buddy” Ernie for a few years.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Garry was preceded in death by a sister Betty Lou Smith and three brothers-in-law, James Buswink, Eddy Smith and Dana Parsons.

He is survived by his siblings Sandra Buswink of Fairmont, Judy Parson of Enterprise, Gregory “Smoke” Craig of Fairmont and Patricia (Keith) Burrows of Barrackville, three children, Kathy (Clinton) Ashley of Fairmont, James (Rondi) Rigsby of Mannington and Lorene (Jerrold) Berkes of Hutchinson, KS. Garry is also survived by his grandchildren, Robert Blair (Rose Brinegar) of Fairmont, Ashley Blair (Justin Foy) of Niles, OH, David Blair (Lillie Knoll) of Fairmont, Preston Villers-Craig and Greg Beaufore of Greensboro, NC, Liam Berkes of Charlotte, NC as well as Morgan Rigsby of Mannington and her fiancé John Kelly of Annapolis, MD, and two great-grandchildren, Audrianna Blair of Fairmont and Justin Foy Jr. of Niles, OH.

Garry enjoyed spending time with his family and friends going to the Mannington Moose Lodge and the Mannington Elks Lodge to which he was a member of both for over 40 years. He also enjoyed NASCAR, football, hunting and staying on the farm with his buddies Tom (Lotta) Neer, Ernie (Nancy) Michael, Eddy (Betty) Smith, Jack (Samra) Cunningham, Bob (Cheryl) Smith and Chicken Barker to whom he loved like brothers as well as their families. He will forever be known as “Little Buddy” or “Jake” to many! He always said he was a rich man because he could count on one hand the amount of true friends he could count on for anything and he had many more than a hand full!

The family would like to express a special Thank You to Dr. Alan Hess, the staff at Mary Babb Cancer Center Institute, WVU Hospice, the Mannington Moose Lodge, the Mannington Elks Lodge and all the countless friends and family who helped take care of Garry and loved him until the end. He will be loved and missed dearly!

Family and friends may call at Masters Funeral Home in Mannington on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 from 2-7:00pm with a funeral services beginning at 7:00pm with Pastor Bob Tennant officiating. Cremation was chose as the final method of disposition.