Craig Garrison Lackey

July 17, 1951 — Dec. 19, 2012

Craig Garrison Lackey, born July 17, 1951, in Dayton, Ohio, to Donald Earl Lackey and Elizabeth Garrison Lackey, passed away Dec. 19, 2012, at U.C. Davis Med Center in Sacramento, after a long, brave battle with cancer. He is survived by his second wife of 23 years, Jan Marie Lackey; daughter, Lara Taga; son, Matthew McCrary; two sisters, Sherry Cronholm and Sandi Custodi; brother-in-law, George Custodi; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss him greatly.

Craig’s father was in the Air Force and the family moved around the U.S. before settling in Orange County when Craig was 7. There he attended school, graduating from Western High. He was proud of his country, enlisting in the Marine Corps. at 19, where he flew F-14 missions in Vietnam and went on to serve with Special Forces on advanced recon missions.

Craig had a dry sense of humor, was known as a hard worker and a fast learner, and had many skills. He was always willing to help others, going out of his way to do so. He enjoyed building and repairing all type of equipment, working on cars and owned his own auto glass shop in Orange County for a time. After meeting Jan, they married in Big Bear City in 1990. They teamed to manage properties in Orange County, then promoted to Sacramento, where they continued to manage properties for over 15 years. Craig went to work for the Endwave Corporation in Diamond Springs in 1989, where he enjoyed new challenges and working with great people, until retiring as Building Facilities Supervisor in 2010 when the company scaled back due to the economy.

Craig loved the wilderness where he went survival camping, bow-hunted bear, built snow caves and explored historical sites in the Gold Country. His ashes will be scattered in the mountains as he wished. A memorial celebration will be held Feb. 9. Friends are encouraged to call Jan Lackey at 916-517-2414 for memorial information.  In lieu of flowers donations for cancer research are appreciated to U.C.Regents, U.C.Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, 4501 X Street, Room 3003, Sacramento, CA 95817. Please include donor information and reference Craig Lackey. Thank you.