Craig Allan Brown's Obituary
Craig Brown, 56, passed away January 18, 2019 after a three year battle with stomach cancer.
Craig was the eighth of 13 children born to Darrell L. and Dorothy H. Brown. He was born and raised in Conrad, MT and is survived by his wife, Teresa; two children, Derek (Portia) and Joshua (Brandy); two grandchildren, Daniel and Madison; his parents; 12 brothers and sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Craig and Teresa were married in Lolo, MT in 1986 and had both of their children prior to him joining the Marine Corps in 1991. Turning 29 during boot camp earned him his nickname of Pappy (grand old man of the Marine Corps is Pappy Boyington) which he still has – his grandchildren know him as Pappy.
Craig was an avionics technician working on the electrical systems on the CH-53E helicopters. While stationed in North Carolina as part of the HMH-464 squadron, he took two Mediterranean cruises and a “blue nose” exercise in Norway. Craig participated in a number of operations in SW Asia and in the Baltic region as well as being involved in actions in Somalia and Monrovia. He also earned the title of “Shellback” as the ship he was on crossed the equator during exercises.
After serving nearly four years in New River, NC he was transferred to Quantico Marine Corps Base and joined HMX-1, the presidential support squadron, where he worked on the avionics systems for VH-60 and VH-3 presidential lift helicopters. Craig traveled extensively across the US and around the world during his time serving under Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
Craig left active duty in 2002 and worked for ManTech for the next 16 years where he continued to travel internationally; designing, installing, and upgrading security systems at US Embassies and Consulates. ManTech provided opportunities for Craig throughout his career, at times even creating positions for him between contracts in order to provide him the opportunity to stay with the company. The decision to stay with ManTech proved beneficial as the relationship worked well for Craig even through his extended long-term disability.
Craig was an avid golfer since he was nine years old playing golf with his dad at the Conrad, MT 9-hole course. When Craig was not at work or at home, you could always count on him either golfing or practicing on the driving range. He participated in a number of World Amateur Handicap Championships in Myrtle Beach where brothers, Roy, Doug, and Owen invited some of their friends to join them and were the only players from Montana in the tournament (normally around 3,000 participants).
When he found out he had cancer, he adopted the belief that his purpose on earth was to show by his actions and demeanor that any misfortune could be turned into a blessing by how you reacted to the situation. Based on feedback he received as he approached the end of his life, he was successful in helping to give people a positive view on life and that with faith and love, any obstacle could be overcome.
A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 28, 2019 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 3501 Lee Hill School Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22407. A celebration of Craig’s life will follow at Lee’s Hill Golf Course. Private interment will be held at a later date.
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