James C. Craft

James C. Craft

September 21, 1964 – July 28, 2026

Jim Craft, age 61, went home to be with the Lord on July 28, 2026, at his home in Medical Lake, Washington, surrounded by his beloved wife and children, following a courageous two-year battle with brain cancer. He was born on September 21, 1964, to James Craft and Lynda Craft (later married to Forrest "Red" Taylor).

Right out of high school, Jim entered the United States Air Force, where he served in Aircraft Maintenance. His first duty station brought him to McChord Air Force Base, where he met Michele at church. Their shared love of music brought them together, and from that beginning grew a beautiful life centered around faith, family, music, and love. Jim proudly served his country for 23 years before retiring from the Air Force.

Music remained an important part of Jim’s life throughout the years. He was deeply involved in the music ministry at church, faithfully using his gifts to serve the Lord and minister to others. His faith was not simply something he believed—it was something he lived. Through his quiet example, Jim showed others what it meant to love God and serve people with a faithful and humble heart.

Jim and Michele shared 39 years of marriage, building a life centered around their faith, family, music, and love for others. He was a devoted husband who loved Michele deeply, and the life they shared was one of his greatest treasures.

Jim was an amazing dad who led his children by example, showing them through his life what faithfulness, humility, kindness, strength, and integrity looked like. Tyler, Lauren, and Nathan were deeply loved by their dad, and he was a steady source of wisdom, encouragement, strength and dedication throughout their lives. He treasured his grandchildren and cherished the joy they brought into his life.

Jim was one of the most selfless men you could ever know, always thinking of others before himself. He had a quiet strength and a gentle way about him that made people feel loved and cared for. He never sought recognition or attention; he simply loved people, served faithfully, and gave freely of himself. To know Jim was to know someone who genuinely cared.

Jim is survived by his wife, Michele; his children, Tyler and his wife, Natalie; Lauren and her husband, Zach; and Nathan and his fiancée, Kayla; his grandchildren, Mia, Liza, Nora, Haddon, Noah, Charlotte, Zachary, Landen, DaKoda, and Rayne; his mother, Lynda Taylor; his sister, Shannon Kucki and her husband, Frank; his nieces, Angelika and Allison; his bonus mother, Pat Nave; and many friends and loved ones who were blessed to know him.

We find comfort in knowing that Jim is now home with the Lord, welcomed into heaven with open arms and reunited with those he loved who had gone before him: his cherished granddaughters, Alynnah Craft and Lillian Seals; his grandmother, Lorraine Hinrichsen; his mother-in-law, JonElla Miller; his sister-in-law, Laura Miller; and his bonus father, Al Nave. We can only imagine the joy of seeing his precious granddaughters again. What a beautiful homecoming it must have been.

Jim leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, service, and quiet strength that will live on through his family and all those whose lives he touched. Though his absence leaves an ache that words cannot fully express, those who loved Jim find comfort in knowing that he is home with his Lord, at peace, and surrounded by the love of those who went before him.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7