Obituary of Craig James McCarraher

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Craig J McCarraher 57, of Huntsville, Alabama passed away peacefully at his home on August 8^th, 2024.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, August 17^th at 10am at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, Dyersville, Iowa. Father Dennis Quint will officiate with his brother, Deacon Keith McCarraher assisting. Burial will be at St. Francis Cemetery with military honors accorded by American Legion Post 137.  A reception will follow at the Dyersville Social Center @ 625 3rd Ave SE, Dyersville.

Craig was born, along with his twin brother, Keith, on May 9^th, 1967 to Jim and Sandy (Helms) McCarraher. He grew up in California and called Walnut Grove his home, where he was raised by his mother and stepfather, Danny Kamen. He graduated in 1985 from Delta High School of Clarksburg, CA.

After high school, Craig spent 2 years working with family before joining the Army in 1988. He served honorably for 11 years as a broadcast engineer for the Armed Forces Network (AFN) and was selected for promotion to Sergeant First Class at the time of his discharge. Following his Army career, Craig spent 6 years on the south pacific island of Kwajalein, acting as Chief Engineer for the region’s radio and television services. In 2002 Craig met the love of his life, Carrie, and brought her to the island. Craig and Carrie married in 2004 and began a life of adventure while Craig entered Government Service, working for AFN for 15 years. He retired in 2022 as a GS-14.

Craig and Carrie lived in Italy, Germany and Maryland before retiring in Alabama. Together, they enjoyed traveling the world, renovating houses, saving puppies and sharing life’s joys with friends and family. It was widely known that Craig never met a stranger and was the world’s greatest neighbor, who always had tools to lend or time to give. Skilled in so many things, it seemed there was nothing he couldn’t accomplish.

In 2021, Craig and Carrie joined the Catholic Church where Craig loved learning all he could about the bible and his faith. Later that year, Craig was diagnosed with ALS and spent the next three years dedicating his sufferings as prayers for others. He made the most of his ALS by visiting family and friends and talking about his faith until his journey was over.

Survivors include his wife Carrie, mother Sandy, brother Keith (Dee) McCarraher, stepfather Danny (Holly) Kamen, stepbrother Jeff Kamen, stepmother Pauline McCarraher, half-brother Jason (Allison) McCarraher, stepbrother Bill (Bev) Gerst and several beloved nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father Jim McCarraher.