Raymond Walter Craig II was born in St. Louis, Missouri, August 29, 1946. He fondly remembered his early years, growing up in Maplewood, across from Sutton Elementary and exploring the River Des Peres. At the age of twelve, grandfather and baker, Rudy Bruder, arranged a weekend bakery job for Ray, leading to a lifelong career in the bakery industry. By age 21 he opened Craig’s Pastries on Gravois Rd. which led to being hired as the Bakery Specialist at Venture. But he had bigger plans. Ray’s goal was to run multiple bakeries. His next step was accepting a Bakery Trainer job at J.W. Allen, based out of Chicago. In-store bakery business, in its infancy, Ray was in on the ground floor. By now he had met and married wife of 45 years, Laura (Hemmer). They traveled to multiple states as Ray trained grocery owners and employees to set up and operate bakeries. His career would take him from Michigan to Tennessee and eventually Texas.
When J.W. Allen sold the largest ever in-store bakery to up-in-coming chain, Fiesta, the Houston owner made Ray an offer he couldn’t refuse. Eventually Ray would run 53 Fiesta bakeries cementing his name in the grocery industry. As one trade magazine article declared, “Ray Craig was the best and brightest”. For 30 years this was his dream job. After retiring, he decided to once again open his own bakery, American Donut, in Spring, Texas. An old-fashioned donut shop with state-of-the-art automatic glazer that allowed customers to, sit at the counter, watching, straight-from-the-fryer, donuts roll down the conveyor, glaze dripping, ready to eat.
But when his mother, Isabel Arms, neared 90 it was time to head back to the city of his roots, St. Louis and home to his daughters, Stephanie Mayse and Tina Catlett, along with six grandchildren: Tyler Catlett (wife Sarah), Macy Matheny (husband Jake), Mia and Gabby Catlett, Hannah Romine (husband Nick) and Alexandra Mayse. All of whom almost made up for the St. Louis winters he despised.
Ray married Laura in 1977. The pride and joy of his life, Chad, came along in 1983. He had been a young, first-time-around dad with his girls; so, he was very grateful for a second chance at fatherhood. Ray and Chad shared a love of Corvettes, Scouting, go-carts and a succession of increasingly bigger, faster ski boats, deck boats, to a 30’ twin-engine Trojan where he finally acquired the flybridge he always wanted.
From the early days, boating was a family event, with the girls on the Mississippi River then later Lake of the Ozarks, Kentucky Lake, Lake Conroe and off shore in the Gulf of Mexico. Chad and Ray also spent endless garage hours working on school, Scout, and Odyssey of the Mind projects, as well as all-nighters just talking. It was fitting that Chad would be the one holding his hand in the wee hours of the morning when God called him home.
Ray, a self-taught craftsman, was a carpenter, electrician, handyman, and architect. Rewire a house; got it. Build incredible treehouse and swing set; done. Decks to custom wall units; no problem; as well as a thousand honey-do-projects for Laura done to perfection. He knew no other way.
With a Coke or Mountain Dew in hand, Ray is now with his mother, Isabel Arms, his sister-in-law Sharon (Atley) Hemmer, longtime friend and colleague, Roland Kuntz, and first wife, Linda Baker—where hopefully they can finally agree on one thing: the two, beautiful, wonderful daughters he and Linda brought into this world. His legacy will continue when Chad and Amanda Craig welcome their first child, in December and Macy and Jake Matheny welcome Ray’s first great-grandchild, expected in early 2023.
Visitation hours will be held Thursday, September 8, from 4:00-9:00, funeral service Friday, September 9, promptly at 1:00 PM. Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois, St. Louis, MO 63123. Procession and burial at Laurel Hills Cemetery to follow; concluding with family, neighbors, and friends invited to gather at his home, 557 Ridge Avenue in Webster Groves.
Please join us to remember a life well lived and a man well loved.
What a beautiful tribute to Ray and a life well lived. So sorry for your loss and deepest condolences to the entire family.
Ray will live on in his children and never be forgotten. Love to all❤️❤️
What a beautiful tribute to Ray and a life well lived. So sorry for your loss and deepest condolences to the entire family.
Ray will live on in his children and never be forgotten. Love to all❤️❤️
Blessings, Craig Family. While I didn’t know the St. Louis side of the family, I was very fond of Laura and Chad. Ray, the ever-supportive husband and father, did whatever Laura asked of him. From what I could see, Ray usually gave in. I am grateful Ray shared Laura and Chad with me. Laura blessed my life as one of the best teachers I have ever known. There truly is no one like her. Chad is a bright, personable, handsome young man who always made me smile. He is one of the those kids with a Midas touch. No matter what happened, Chad always came out smelling like roses. He could charm ANYONE. I know Ray will watch over them and always share his unending love for his family. Having endless love for one’s family is one of the best character traits anyone could have, and Ray’s love was radiant!
Blessings, Craig Family. While I didn’t know the St. Louis side of the family, I was very fond of Laura and Chad. Ray, the ever-supportive husband and father, did whatever Laura asked of him. From what I could see, Ray usually gave in. I am grateful Ray shared Laura and Chad with me. Laura blessed my life as one of the best teachers I have ever known. There truly is no one like her. Chad is a bright, personable, handsome young man who always made me smile. He is one of the those kids with a Midas touch. No matter what happened, Chad always came out smelling like roses. He could charm ANYONE. I know Ray will watch over them and always share his unending love for his family. Having endless love for one’s family is one of the best character traits anyone could have, and Ray’s love was radiant!
What a wonderful summary of Ray’s life. I had the honor of meeting Ray and Laura a few times over the years as my daughter, Amanda was dating-then married Chad. I am happy I had the chance to know him. He was certainly a wonderful Father as Chad has shared some of the great times he had with his Dad with us. The lessons taught by a father as loving and wise as Ray will last a lifetime. May you always feel his presence in your heart. In times of loss and sadness, let the memories of your wonderful father bring you comfort. He was a truly special man.
What a wonderful summary of Ray’s life. I had the honor of meeting Ray and Laura a few times over the years as my daughter, Amanda was dating-then married Chad. I am happy I had the chance to know him. He was certainly a wonderful Father as Chad has shared some of the great times he had with his Dad with us. The lessons taught by a father as loving and wise as Ray will last a lifetime. May you always feel his presence in your heart. In times of loss and sadness, let the memories of your wonderful father bring you comfort. He was a truly special man.
To My dearest Stephanie & family,
My God be close to you in your times if sorrow. Remember God is close to the broken. Hearted. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
To My dearest Stephanie & family,
My God be close to you in your times if sorrow. Remember God is close to the broken. Hearted. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
As I read this beautiful description of Rays life, I read a testimony from a wonderful woman about her night in shining armor. I am so sorry for the loss to his family, he was a devoted Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother-in-law and friend. May the Lord bring you all peace and comfort and may all the memories of Ray bring you joy at such a time like this.
With my Sincere Sympathy and Love,
Bobbi Klemme Bowman
As I read this beautiful description of Rays life, I read a testimony from a wonderful woman about her night in shining armor. I am so sorry for the loss to his family, he was a devoted Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother-in-law and friend. May the Lord bring you all peace and comfort and may all the memories of Ray bring you joy at such a time like this.
With my Sincere Sympathy and Love,
Bobbi Klemme Bowman
Such a well written obituary describing his life. My condolences for all of whom will miss him.