Petty Officer Jared Alan Craig

Petty Officer Jared Alan Craig, 38, of Jacksonville, Florida (formerly of Owensboro) was suddenly called for heavenly duty on October 2, 2013 in Jacksonville. He was born in Robinson, Illinois to Terry and Sharon Craig.

Jared was a 1993 graduate of Daviess County High School and attended Owensboro Community Technical College.

He was sworn into the U.S. Navy on Jan. 24, 1996. Jared attended Navy Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois and graduated in March of 1996. He then went directly to Nuclear Power School in Orlando, FL. From there he went to Groton, CT for Naval Submarine School and upon completion in January 1997, he was assigned to Missile Technician "A" School at Trident Training Facility in Kings Bay, GA. There Jared learned his trait as a Missile Technician.

Jared was assigned to the USS MARYLAND in 1997. While onboard he conducted Strategic Deterrent Patrols and earned his Submarine Dolphin Insignia. From 2001 to 2004 Jared was assigned to the staff of Naval Ordnance Test Unit in Cape Canaveral, FL where he was directly responsible for ensuring proper Flight Test and Evaluation of the Trident II D5 Missile. In 2004, he reported aboard the USS TENNESSEE where he completed 4 Strategic Deterrent Patrols, a Mini DASO, and a Navy Technical Proficiency Inspection. In 2007 Petty Officer Craig reported to the staff of National Airborne Operations Center in Omaha, NB. While stationed at USTRATCOM, he served as a member of the Strategic Operations section for Operations Team Three (OT-3). The team is known as the Red Dawgs. He was the Nuclear Planning and Execution System (NPES) administrator and had the honor of travelling with Air Force One. From 2010 to 2012 he was stationed aboard the USS RHODE ISLAND where he completed 5 Strategic Deterrent Patrols, a Mini DASO, Navy Technical Proficiency Inspection and a Strategic MOD 6 upgrade. In November of 2012, Petty Officer Craig reported to Strategic Weapons Facility, Atlantic in Kings Bay, GA.

Petty Officer Craig was authorized to wear the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with four Gold Stars, a Joint Commendation Medal, and other personnel and unit awards.

Jared was a member of Owensboro Christian Church. He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Florida Gators and Atlanta Braves. Jared enjoyed fishing, golfing, NASCAR and most of all, spending time with his family and fianc.

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He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Wayne and Phyllis Sackrider and Charles and Frances Craig.


Jared is survived by his parents, Terry and Sharon Craig of Owensboro; his fianc, Kim Taylor of Jacksonville, FL; a sister, Tara Garrison (Brad) of Philpot, KY; a brother, Damon Craig (Samantha) of Jacksonville; nieces and nephew, Maddy Craig, Kaylee and Collin Garrison; aunts, Marie Miller (Robert) of Fairfield Glade, TN, Louise Newbold of Oblong, IL and Doris Tracy (Keith) of Robinson, IL; an uncle, Larry Sackrider (Charlotte) of Oblong, IL and several cousins.

A military service will be held at Kings Bay Chapel before Jared is brought back to Owensboro, Kentucky.

The funeral service will be at 3 PM on Sunday, October 13 at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Myke Templeton will officiate. Burial will be at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Sorgho. Visitation will be on Saturday from 4-8 PM and on Sunday after 1 PM at the funeral home.