Thomas Craft

  Thomas Brewster Craft, age 72, of Everson, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 after a long and heroic battle with cancer. Tom was born to George and Edla (Olson) Craft on May 3, 1944.
  Tom grew up and spent most of his life in Everson, where he married his wife and the love of his life, Orta (denHartog) Craft, on Sept. 22, 1979. Together they raised their three children Rachell, Jacob and Tara. Tom graciously served his country during the Vietnam War as part of the U.S. Army from May 1968 to May 1971. Tom’s heart belonged to the mountains and he loved hiking, nature and all wild life. His love for photography allowed him to capture many beautiful memories and adventures along the way. He traversed to the base camps of Mt. Everest and summited the peaks of Mt. Baker, with thousands of trails traveled in between. He instilled a love of hiking, camping and the outdoors in his children, family and many people he met throughout his life. Tom also had a love for logging, chopping and splitting wood, which he devoted hours of time to where he found peace and solitude. He spent many years employed at Georgia-Pacific, while raising his family and enjoying his numerous other hobbies, before embarking on a journey of retirement which was planned to be spent traveling the country with his wife, dog (Axle) and camper. Tom could always be counted on for a quick laugh with his goofy behavior and endless cheesy jokes, even if he often forgot the punch line or was simply laughing too hard to say it! His love for his wife was endless, as was that for his children and grandchildren.
  In death, Tom leave behind his beloved wife, Orta Craft; his children and six grandchildren: Rachell (Chris) Redd and Emily and Isaac, Jacob (Thea) Craft, Tara Craft and Hunter; his brother, Ben (Gretchen Hoyt) Craft; nephews, several cousins and many extended family members.
  Please join us for a celebration of the life of Tom on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016 at the Craft residence, 3580 Alm Rd., Everson, beginning at 3 p.m. A graveside burial service will be held for immediate family only at Greenacres Memorial Park of Ferndale on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016, followed by a brief memorial service at Victory Christian Fellowship, 205 South British Columbia Ave. #107, Lynden, Washington, at 11:30 a.m.
  In lieu of flowers please make donations to Victory Christian Fellowship of Lynden, WA 98264, or the Whatcom Hospice House, 2800 Douglas Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225.
  Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.sigsfuneralservices.com.