This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Craig Milton Smith. We will remember him forever.
On Monday, May 11, 2020, at 8:45 AM, Craig Milton Smith, loving husband, friend and spiritual father to many, passed away peacefully in his home at age 64. He may have ultimately lost a 10 year battle to lymphoma but it was at that moment, the moment he breathed his last breath, that he entered the Kingdom of God so many of us long for. No more tears, no more pain. Only Joy!
Craig was born on August 6, 1955 in Medford, Oregon to Mancel C Smith and Clara May Nunn. Craig spent a few short years of his childhood in Watsonville but then his family moved to Santa Clara Valley where he went to Sherman Oaks Elementary and Del Mar high school, Graduating Class of 1973.
Craig got saved early on in life and in fact says that he felt like he knew God from his earliest memories, that he always sensed his presence... Even though Craig had had experiences with Jesus, like most youth, he had his rebellious period where he got himself involved with gangsters, drugs and prostitutes. This ultimately led to him serving a year in jail for possession of cocaine. In jail, Craig figured out Who was King and upon his release immediately plugged himself into Calvary Community Church on Hillsdale Ave. in San Jose. Shortly after that, in the fall of 1979 Craig met me, Lisa at a Church sponsored “Love Feast.” It wasn’t love-at-first-sight but very much like-at-first-sight. It took about a year, but then we were inseparable.
After a long courtship, on April 2, 1991, Craig married Lisa Lorraine Webster at “the hitching post” in Carson City, NV. Then, on June 15, just a little over two months later, they sealed the deal in front of family and friends, with a minister, the church, music, banquet, the whole shebang! After a brief honeymoon they immediately went into ministry building and running the dormitory ministry for young single adults at Calvary Chapel Church in San Jose.
It was here at Calvary, along with his friend and business partner Ron Powers, that they co-founded a ministry called Skate Church, which impacted many young skaters in the 90s; many who went on to become pros and others that went on to become full time ministers. Craig was very passionate about his faith and dedicated his life to serving the youth in our valley, and worldwide, as he pursued missions and ministry at every opportunity.
It was at this time that he and Ron also started a business called Ball Hitch Ramps where they built mobile hydraulic ramp systems as well as smaller composite ramps for events and outreaches. The business side of building skate parks and doing events across the country supported the ministry side of outreach through a network of many churches. They formed skating teams that he would take on tour and this in itself became one of his ministries, one of mentoring and discipleship.
Craig then served as a youth pastor at Christ the King Church in Campbell and pursued ordination into the Anglican church. Just before graduating he decided that going into the priesthood was not for him, even though the schooling involved with ordination was a very valuable experience and he loved it, of course...
Craig was a contractor builder/painter and who is always open to help his neighbors or anybody with whatever they needed. Craig was always very giving and generous with his time and attention. A great inspiration to me, his wife!
Craig was a natural leader and many people flocked to his side for council and friendship. He seemed to know a little bit about everything and a lot about many things. He was always interested in everything and wanted to know how everything worked. He had a voracious appetite for learning and loved to teach others what he had learned. If it could be known, he wanted to know it.
Craig studied everything, but he had a particular fondness for scripture and Hermeneutics; how one studies scripture. He was a student of history as well as physics, economics, politics, psychology and sociology, engineering, building techniques - the list could go on and on. If Craig had a hobby it was music and movies. He was always introducing everybody to new things. Craig loved the great outdoors just as much as I and we often spent the weekend hiking, picnicking and exploring in the Santa Cruz mountains.
Craig was larger than life and the kind of a person that commanded the attention of the entire room he was in. He was very persuasive and compelling and sure of what he believed. He always said that, It’s not what you do, but who you are that’s important. That the relationships in your life are the sum total of your accomplishments. And that it was "his job to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed." Those of you that know Craig well, know just how well he did that job! He was always challenging the status quo and getting people to think through what they believed and why. He seemed to always have the facts at his fingertips. He had an amazing way with people, children and animals.
Craig meant so much to so many. He has a dear following, that looked up to him as a mentor, friend and “father like figure’. His selfless love, teaching, wisdom and deep care towards others touched so many lives. His thoughtful words have encouraged us, gave us hope, opened our hearts and minds, and showed us the true meaning of “LOVE”.
Craig was preceded in death by his stepfather and his mother Harvey and Clara Clark. He is survived by his wife Lisa, his brother Marvin, his stepsister’s Kathy and Karen, his auntie Bobbi, uncle Walt and aunt Betsy, and many, many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
I want to list here all of the people who have come alongside us during this difficult time, especially the last three months of his rapid decline. These wonderful people are my prayer team, my friends and family, and all those who have been touched and affected by our lives in some way. I apologize if I have left any of you out as I tried to collect all of the names of everybody who have been in touch with us regarding Craig‘s passing..
Calvary Community Friends:
Ron and Suzy Powers
Linda and Dennis Woodsmall
Kathy Beaulac Baker
Helen Lalo
Karin Grossman
Mark Williams
Susan Frederico
Patty Rupreict Cress
Silia Andresen
Marilyn, Silia’s sister, (Andrews) Gerhardt
Christy German
Rodney Page
Sara Saponaro
Kevin Lancer
Bill and Rhonda Petrie
Donna Troxell
Rachel Wood Iverson
Della Frantz Carlitz
David and Cherri Harris
Jeanne Callahan Russell
Steve and Nancy Fry
Charlie and Kathy Self
Lila Salazar
Kris Eidsvoog
Susan Elwood
Susan oung
Guy Chism
John Bowman
Brenda Reinke
Jeff Lerch
Tom Steele
Jim Eliot
OLena Ross
Special Friends and Relationships:
John and Julie Dawson
Fran Tablas
Russell and Tara Karaviotis
Bob and Kit Perales
Jill Antoine
Tami Anthony
Scott Anthony
Pia and Bette
Mary Pratt
Kirsten Gorman Tunnicliffe
Colleen Wilcox
Leslie Koleman
Cindy Jorgensen
Judy Kritikos
Brenda Stewart
Sharon and Debi Fordham
Theresa Cummings
Val Richards
Bob Tiburzi
Thomas Mikkelsen
Rodney Lee Castillo
Justin, friend to the east
John Day
Dan and Olga Roseblade
John Harrison, from the UK
Bible Study Gang:
Chris Chow
Ana Cecelia and Ron Desmond
Melissa Mavati
Jess Gravelle
Suszanne Perez
Sarah Ornelas
Skate Church and skating contacts:
Josh Balogh
Chris Slappy Sutherland
Damien Schinella
Arlene, Bill and Lucas Mortenson
Salman Agah
Christopher Peter Drukas
Brandi, Frank and Chase
Veronica Gonzalez and family
Red Berry
Neighbors:
Darnell
Denise and Beth
Winnie and Joe
Sharon Bergis
Noel and family
Hank
Pat
Craig’s Immediate Family:
Marvin Smith, Barbara Matzat,
Walt and Betsy Nunn, Kelly and Camila, as well as many others in the family I cannot name.
Cheryl Leanne, Lena and Randy
Kathy and Karen Clark
Lisa’s Immediate family:
Janet Webster
Brenda, Josh, Christopher and Jonathan Felner
Mike Webster
Rhonda, Justin and Jared Kessler
Diana, Rodger, Chad, Dwan, Kyle and Roen Horn
Dena Webster
Melora, Joe, Joey, Jake (& Brie), Becky and Ben Klusnick
Lisa’s Uncles, Aunts and cousins:
Laura Cox, Matt Studd, Heidi Causey, Ryan and Beverly Studd,
Kenneth Fredrickson, Ralph and Glenda Fredrickson, Greg Fredrickson, Barbie Vidovich, Salem Fredrickson
Clearly Craig was loved by many and will be missed as was evidenced by your all’s loving and supportive response to my numerous updates. I could never have gotten through the last three months without your outpouring of love and prayer. I can’t thank you enough for loving God and for loving me. Craig will always hold a very special place in each of our hearts...
Craig’s body was cremated; I will hold onto the ashes until I figure out where I should scatter them; a place that is meaningful to us both.