Obituary for Craig Flyn Carnes
Funeral services for Craig Carnes, 60, of Eustace will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 10, 2020 at the First Assembly of God Church in Eustace with Tim Howard officiating. Interment will follow at Carroll Springs Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
On the Fourth of July 2020 at 10:17 AM, we were left to mourn our dearly beloved Craig. He was the baby of five children, born to Fred and Phyllis Carnes, on March 17, 1960, St Patrick’s Day, at the St Joseph Hospital in Houston, Texas. The hospital has to be specifically mentioned because if you were with him passing through downtown Houston he was going to tell you he was born there and tell you which room by pointing at a random window.
He was raised in Houston and graduated from Charles Milby High School in 1979. His high school welding teacher, Mr. McPearson, played a pivotal role for Craig, as well as so many other students. “Mac” took an interest in Craig and helped guide him to attend college at TSTI, earn a degree, many welding certifications and pursue a long, successful career in welding. He was highly sought by companies because of his expertise and talent. On job sites throughout the US, he was often referred to as the “Mouth of the South” as coworkers listened to his entertaining nonstop talking and storytelling.
Craig and his neighborhood buddies became involved in serious BBQ’ing and cooked at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for many years where there was nothing he enjoyed more than tending a pit all night long.
Becoming a father was unrivaled to anything else in his life. While he was already having a ball with his son Tim he became the proud father of Callison whom he simply adored. Everyone knew Callie ran the show. He loved her well beyond anything that could be written in words.
His second blessing in life was meeting Terrie Sifford. They married; his life and heart were full and he loved her beyond limit. He became a member of the First Assembly of God in Eustace, Texas. It was through the church he and Terrie became Santa and Mrs. Claus to countless children around Eustace and Houston. God had a plan in giving him a large body because it took a large vessel to hold his huge heart. He had the kindest and most forgiving soul; never a grudge with anyone. Craig had the most magnetic way with everyone he met. His best buddy in East Texas, Stuart Reeves, said “If you ever met him, you’d be his “little buddy” for life.” He stood 6’4” so everyone was little to him. He was always cheerful, had the biggest heart and got such a joy from being the Eustace Santa each year and making his arrival on the fire truck. He NEVER passed up a garage sale and loved the auctions. He was a great friend and fishing buddy, he didn’t eat the fish; he just did it for the fellowship and sharing more of his stories.
Craig was predeceased by his father, Fred Carnes.
He is survived by those who will miss his huge presence and those he so dearly loved: His wife Terrie Sifford Carnes, daughter Callison Carnes, mother Phyllis Carnes, sisters Caron (Rusty) Gallier, Cathy Carnes (Don Yarbrough), Cindy Kutch (Lou Gallio), and brother Curtis (Lynn) Carnes. He also leaves behind his blended family of children Sandi Patrick (Joey), Ashley Young, and Jeremy Eaton as well as his pride and joy, all the grands who called him Pappa: Cooper, Kylie, Keaton, Hudson, Jared, Jacob, Micah, Jeremy, Kaylon, Taylor, Myles, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his buddy, Preston Bates.
Visitation will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, July 9, 2020 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, please consider First Assembly of God Eustace, PO Box 117, Eustace, Tx 75124 to continue Craig’s devotion to Christmas and giving to others.
Services were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.
On the Fourth of July 2020 at 10:17 AM, we were left to mourn our dearly beloved Craig. He was the baby of five children, born to Fred and Phyllis Carnes, on March 17, 1960, St Patrick’s Day, at the St Joseph Hospital in Houston, Texas. The hospital has to be specifically mentioned because if you were with him passing through downtown Houston he was going to tell you he was born there and tell you which room by pointing at a random window.
He was raised in Houston and graduated from Charles Milby High School in 1979. His high school welding teacher, Mr. McPearson, played a pivotal role for Craig, as well as so many other students. “Mac” took an interest in Craig and helped guide him to attend college at TSTI, earn a degree, many welding certifications and pursue a long, successful career in welding. He was highly sought by companies because of his expertise and talent. On job sites throughout the US, he was often referred to as the “Mouth of the South” as coworkers listened to his entertaining nonstop talking and storytelling.
Craig and his neighborhood buddies became involved in serious BBQ’ing and cooked at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for many years where there was nothing he enjoyed more than tending a pit all night long.
Becoming a father was unrivaled to anything else in his life. While he was already having a ball with his son Tim he became the proud father of Callison whom he simply adored. Everyone knew Callie ran the show. He loved her well beyond anything that could be written in words.
His second blessing in life was meeting Terrie Sifford. They married; his life and heart were full and he loved her beyond limit. He became a member of the First Assembly of God in Eustace, Texas. It was through the church he and Terrie became Santa and Mrs. Claus to countless children around Eustace and Houston. God had a plan in giving him a large body because it took a large vessel to hold his huge heart. He had the kindest and most forgiving soul; never a grudge with anyone. Craig had the most magnetic way with everyone he met. His best buddy in East Texas, Stuart Reeves, said “If you ever met him, you’d be his “little buddy” for life.” He stood 6’4” so everyone was little to him. He was always cheerful, had the biggest heart and got such a joy from being the Eustace Santa each year and making his arrival on the fire truck. He NEVER passed up a garage sale and loved the auctions. He was a great friend and fishing buddy, he didn’t eat the fish; he just did it for the fellowship and sharing more of his stories.
Craig was predeceased by his father, Fred Carnes.
He is survived by those who will miss his huge presence and those he so dearly loved: His wife Terrie Sifford Carnes, daughter Callison Carnes, mother Phyllis Carnes, sisters Caron (Rusty) Gallier, Cathy Carnes (Don Yarbrough), Cindy Kutch (Lou Gallio), and brother Curtis (Lynn) Carnes. He also leaves behind his blended family of children Sandi Patrick (Joey), Ashley Young, and Jeremy Eaton as well as his pride and joy, all the grands who called him Pappa: Cooper, Kylie, Keaton, Hudson, Jared, Jacob, Micah, Jeremy, Kaylon, Taylor, Myles, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his buddy, Preston Bates.
Visitation will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, July 9, 2020 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, please consider First Assembly of God Eustace, PO Box 117, Eustace, Tx 75124 to continue Craig’s devotion to Christmas and giving to others.
Services were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.