On the morning of August 9th 2015, Craig Steven Patterson passed away at age 50 surrounded by his loving family.
Craig was born in Lansing, Michigan on November 2, 1964. He was the youngest of three sons of Pat and Joann Patterson.
He was a family man, whose kids and wife meant the world to him. He was extremely proud of his children, the contributions they made to family and community, and most importantly who they were becoming. Craig and his wife Josie were married for 22 years and loved each other deeply. They shared a beautiful bond, both cherishing family immensely. Family trips to enjoy the beauty of nature that God has created brought him an inner peace that would always put a smile on his face. He could often be found sharing his wisdom, love for life and humor with family, friends and co-workers.
Craig had a beautiful life perspective and his core values, particularly his faith in God, have been instilled in his family. Craig persevered through life’s challenges trusting in God’s guidance and plan. He had a special way of connecting with people, leaving a positive impact on their lives.
Craig is survived by his wife Josie Patterson and their three children, Erika, Melissa and Matthew, his parents Pat and Joann Patterson and his brothers Gary and Michael.
Service and reception will be held at Liberty Baptist Church on Thursday, August 13th at 11am located at 211 Sierra Road West in Helena. Donations and flowers may be sent to Liberty Baptist Church.
The family would like to thank the staff at St. Peter’s Hospital, Pastor Russ and the Liberty Baptist Church family, Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home and Crematory, and all of those who paid their respects and made contributions to the family.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Thursday August 13, 2015
Liberty Baptist Church
211 Sierra Road
Helena, Montana 59602
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Pam Ainslie says
I worked with Craig in Oxnard. I am so sadden to hear of his passing. I will always remember Craig as an extremely nice guy, always friendly and always with a smile. RIP Craigster. You are missed.
ray v says
Patterson Family,
I hope you are all able to be as strong as possible during this time. My deepest condolences your loss. Craig was a great friend and I’m shocked to hear of his passing. I had the opportunity to get to know him over the last few years and i am very grateful for that. Josie, Erika, Matt, and Melissa, I can’t imagine the void you’re all feeling. He had the most amount of love for you and I’m glad that you all were as close as you were. I will continue to take great care of Crush as Craig would have wanted and he’s here for you guys anytime. Call me whenever or reach out at all if you guys need anything. I’ll keep the crush pictures coming and when you guys return to town, please get in touch. It would be awesome to share some stories of Mr. Craig or catch up. My family and I would welcome you all with open arms. Again, I’m so sorry that any of you have to go through this right now. Stay as strong as one can and keep your heart and mind open as a part of him will always be nearby.
Sincerely,
Ray
Stephanie Houston says
To Craig’s Family- I don’t even know what to say. We have loved Craig for a decade and all of you. He was so very proud of all his kiddos and it came up in nearly every recent conversation. He LOVED being in Montana with you all, he would send updated pictures and updates on each of your activities. We are just heartbroken. Even with the distance from Sacramento to Montana, we just felt we would someday, someway, reconnect our families. Craig remains one of the funniest people we know. We argued over whose dog was better- Bandit or Boomer, he would bug me with Christmas updates- Christmas is 2,4,6,8, 10 months away and he always encouraged us to start our family despite our fears of giving up travel. He was right… The joy of having Hannah far outweighs the joy of travel and we should have listened to him earlier. Whenever we think of Craig we remember being the coldest we have ever been camping and laughing weekly at work and so sad when the office closed knowing it would be a long time before reuniting. We love you all and so very sorry for the loss of hubby and daddy. Xoxo Steph, Chris, Hannah, Bandit & Baby Boy to be.
Diana Lentz says
Dear Patterson family,
I was so shocked and saddened to learn of your loss. Even though I worked with Craig at SCIF for only 2 years, I feel truly blessed to have known him. I have many special memories of his kind and gentle spirit, his great sense of humor, his love of family, and his infectious smile. I am holding you all close in my heart and praying that happy memories will bring you comfort and peace. Craig will be forever remembered and forever missed
Kathy Stacey says
I worked with Craig at MSF. We had a wonderful relationship. He was so easy to please. I would bring him cinnamon candy that he just loved. Bringing his Dad our honey was such a joy and treat to me because Craig new he loved it. Hope to honor him by doing this in the future. I liked Craig right away because he always took such pride in his family. He had a quite dignity about him that was so humbling. It was such a pleasure getting to know his family that was his whole world. He asked for little and gave a lot. I will miss that smile and always warm welcomes. Peace and prayers to his family who he knew loved him very much.
Kathy Stacey
Diane Pedersen says
I was so sorry to hear that Craig passed away. I worked with him at Montana State Fund for a brief time before I retired last year. I will remember him as a kind man with a great sense of humor. He spoke of his family often and it was obvious how much he loved them. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. With deepest sympathy. Diane Pedersen
Diane Hepburn says
My heartfelt sympathy to your family. I had the pleasure of meeting Craig at the wedding of Chris and Stephanie Houston. (I am Stephanie’s mom.)
Stephanie and Chris always shared stories of Craig, their friend and co-worker. They are very saddened by his passing. I understand your grief having lost my father and husband last year.
Treasure those happy memories your shared as a family. Trust in the Lord. He will help mend your broken heart over time. I love the photo of Craig. His smile radiates love and joy. Prayers and blessings to your entire family. Diane Hepburn
Brenda Cross says
Dear Patterson Family:
I was so sorry to hear of Craig’s passing. I worked with Craig at MSF until my retirement late last year. He was such a kind man; he talked often about his family and how much he loved you. He always had a quick smile and twinkle in his eye for everyone. He will be missed. Blessings to your entire family.
Brenda Cross
Kelly Principe says
Being Craig’s assistant is one of the best jobs I have ever had in my life. I loved craig since the day I met him. He was so happy to welcome me to work and always treated me with dignity and respect. I loved the way he went out of his way every day to tease me about something, and everything. There are not enough words to express how sorry I am about his passing and how much I will miss him. he sent me quite a bit of work everyday and always added a sweet note wishing me a good day and always calling me Ms. Kelly. My life is better because of having known him. The love Craig has for his family is so deep and beautiful to watch and hear about. I will miss hearing what the kids are up to and his baseball predictions. God Bless the whole Patterson family. You will all stay in my prayers for a very very long time.
Honey Young says
I had the wonderful opportunity to work with an amazing person! Craig was one of the first people I met here at MSF and was the last person I saw on Saturday! As always he was smiling and saying good morning! Always asked how I was doing and inquired about all my rescue animals! He was so fascinated by my daughters wild snake she caught and brought home and has become part of the family “fluffy” lol! And he was more amazed of my love for animals to drive all the way to Texas for a rescue dog “Tank” lol! He was an inspiring husband, father and friend, and will be truly missed here!
God bless and be blessed,
The Young Family
Honey, Tank, Cookie, Waffles, Fluffy, Alyssa and Katelyn
Mike Worden says
Josie, Erika, Melissa and Matthew,
My heart is heavy and my thoughts and prayers are with you. I looked forward to seeing and talking with Craig everyday. We shared life experiences and would laugh often. He always spoke of his family and how much they meant to him. I did not have to talk with him long to know how proud he was of his family. I miss him as I know all that knew him will.
Mike Worden
Kim Pelo says
Josie, Erika, Melissa, & Matthew
I am at a loss for words!! Craig was such a light to come to work every day to!! How lucky was I to sit next to him every day?!!!! He always had a smile and kind word as we went through our days at MSF together. I loved all his stories and he was just so easy to talk to and caring as we shared stories, laughed, cried, bantered, argued back and forth every day. Loved the stories of his family and friends, dogs, sports, and oh so much more. My heart goes out to you as I know what a great loss you are suffering. I pray the wonderful memories of this wonderful husband, father, son, friend, man will ease some of the pain. I am sending my love to you all. Love, Kim Pelo
PS. We have posted a few pictures with his family here at MSF. What a sport he was! He will be missed by us all!
Jenny Winfield says
My thoughts and prayers to the family. Craig was a wonderful person and I am so glad I got the chance to work with him at State Fund. I am going to miss our little chats we shared. Craig greeted everyone good morning and goodnight when he arrived and left the office. He was a true gentleman who loved his family very much. He is greatly missed by everyone and work will never be the same without him.
My condolences.
Jenny Winfield
Rick Duane says
Josie, Erika, Melissa, Matthew – I pray for your strength and faith. Craig was always upbeat and positive. I enjoyed my ‘drive by’ chats with him when I came by his desk. He always had something good to share about the day or what he was planning for a weekend, holiday or event and was interested in what others were doing to enjoy their time away from work. I know he was proud of and loved his family. He is missed.
Janice Duran says
I was another one of Craig’s coworkers at SCIF in Oxnard. Craig was hired shortly after I was, also as a WCIT, then we both were promoted to adjuster at the same time. Josie, I never got a chance to meet you, though I feel like I knew you through Craig. Erika, Melissa & Matthew, I’ve met all of you when your Dad very proudly brought you to the office. We used to follow horse racing together & were always betting on something with each other – fun office stuff like that. He must have loved that we had a triple crown winner this year; I’m glad he got to see that. My heart goes out to all of you for your loss. Craig left a great legacy in the beautiful family he loved so much.
Tonee West says
Josie, Erika, Melissa, and Matthew,
I am so sorry for your huge loss. I will hold dear to my heart the memories of Craig’s welcoming smile and the many conversations with him here at the office; he shared so much about how proud he is and how much he loved all of you. I will always remember when we were all at the Missoula Shopping Mall; Craig was so happy and proud to introduce all of you to my family and me. You’re Husband, Father and the Friend to many was a genuine gentleman and will definitely be missed by all of us. You are all in my prayers.
Trish & Russ Gray says
Josie,
Our thoughts are with you always. We will always remember our evenings by the fire roasting beer barons and marshmallows with you two and the kids. We are so glad to have had the chance to meet and get to know you two. We will miss Craig and his sense of humor and teasing about me being from North Dakota.
David Yuen says
I met Craig when he worked in Oxnard and at first we did not have that much in common besides the coffee club and the occasional Lotto pools. One day I was chatting with Craig and found out that he went to Grace College in Winona Lake and so we had the christian college background as a common denominator. We had numerous talks about our experiences at college and the journey that we had been on since college. We both saw how God has his plan and follows us wherever we are. Craig used to lean back in his chair as I was walking thru the aisle and look over at me and just say “Staying Close?” It was his way of asking me if I was staying close to God. It was his wink and smile that had me encouraged during the time I was in Oxnard with him. Thank you Craig for your influence in my life.
My prayers are with you…Josie, Erika, Melissa and Matthew
Sincerely
Dave Yuen
Paul Dimalanta says
I am one of Craig’s many friends from SCIF Oxnard. I sat next to him for a couple of years and got to know him really well. We would talk about cars and how much I liked Japanese and how much he liked American. We talked about college football and how much of a Michigan fan he was and how my team UCLA wasn’t doing so good. He always talked about his family especially his kids. I was his supplier of frozen lumpia when he was here.
When he decided to accept the job in Montana, he was so happy because his dream was to live in one of the Rocky Mountain states. He constantly invited me to join him and said that I would love it. He came to visit California this past June and wanted to meet with me but sadly we didn’t get to see each other. It breaks my heart to hear of his passing because he was a great person. Always was happy and positive no matter what happens in this world. He always supported me in all my activities, running marathons, my photography, and my family. He loved his family with all his heart and soul. I learned a lot from Craig and I will truly miss him with all my heart.
Sandra Crenshaw says
I am deeply saddened for your loss. Craig was truly the only person in Montana I could talk to for the year we were there. He would tell me I was brave for making the big move from SCIF to Montana but really it was Craig and his family that were brave. I pray that God gives you strength and the courage your family has already demonstrated to get through this tragedy. He will always be special in my heart for the truly sincere person he was and I will keep you in my prayers.
Louise Robledo says
To Craig’s family, my prayers and thoughts are with you all. I pray with God’s help and love He will get you all through this very sad and hard time of your lives.
I also had the honor of working with Craig at Oxnard State Fund along with many great co-workers that I miss. To hear of Craig’s passing made me glad I got to know him a little. I would always kid him about his license plate on his car ‘Wapo’ which means ‘handsome’ good-looking. He would laugh and he always addressed me as ‘Robledo’. I know he leaves a void in many lives. Lastly, I’m sure Craig is looking down on you all with love from Heaven.
Sheila, Tom, Emma and Evan Martin says
We are so sorry to learn Craig passed away. I always enjoyed visiting with Craig about California, swim team stuff and life in Montana.
Sheila & Family
Alana Barone says
Today I learned of your family’s loss and I’m shocked and saddened. I received work referrals from Craig through MSF and will remember him for his professionalism, kindness and sense of humor. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and will miss talking to him.
Sincerely,
Alana Barone – Billings MT
Dan Montgomery says
Speaking with Craig on the phone this summer was a joy. After about 30 years he was still that good spirited guy I knew from growing up together. Great comments above, thanks all , that all sounds like Craig.. I miss my friend now.
Dan Montgomery, Dillon Colorado.
Sharon Hollowed says
Eight years later I’m letting you know how special Craig was to my husband Dennis and me. I wasn’t sure where he had moved, all of the people we loved and have passed away are on my mind tonight.
We knew Craig when all of us lived in Santa Paula.
My husband passed away March of 2021. Another good friend of. Craig’s was Bill Lindsay also of Santa Paula CA.
Bill passed away November 2022.
I pray they are all together!
Craig loved his wife and kids so much, I understand this is so late in coming but I had a great need to add this after all these years.
May God be with you!
Love, Sharon