Craig Earl Strong

With love and honor, we remember and celebrate the life of Craig Earl Strong 77, of Prescott Valley, AZ. On August 17, 2025, Craig entered eternal life, reuniting with his parents Earl and Vonna, as well as younger sister Candy in God’s presence.

Born on January 23, 1948, in Ainsworth Nebraska, he was the second of three children to parents Vonna Mae (nee Clark) and Earl Orville Strong. He spent his early childhood in Nebraska, and later Rockford Illinois after the family moved there. Craig was a native Nebraskan and never lost touch as he resided there at different periods in his life. The Strong family relocated again to California where Craig attended High School at Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights, California. He enlisted and served our nation in the United States Air Force. He was selected to be Air Force Bugler and performed at Military Honors Ceremonies. He was stationed at Griffis AFB in Rome, N.Y. where he met his first wife Nancy. They had two children, first Eric and then Tara. Craig returned to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska with his young family rejoining his parents and sisters. He and his father Earl put their carpentry skills to work, building custom log homes after relocating again to the small town of Williams, AZ. After his father’s passing, Craig moved his family, including his mother and younger sister, to Winslow, AZ where he and his wife ran a Stuckey’s store, employing his mother and sister. Craig was a capable man of many talents and occupations. Throughout his life he was a letter carrier for the USPS, he and his father built custom log homes together, he was a painter, he held multiple positions in sales including auto, insurance and investments as well as creator of several small businesses. His life’s journey led him to travel and live in a plethora of places: Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Texas, California and Arizona. It was there in Cottonwood, Az that Craig met his wife Jane Elizabeth Oxendale. They were married on October,12 1991. Craig and Jane loved and supported each other for more than 33 years. They shared many adventures. Their time together saw them live in California, then return to Arizona. Craig and Jane lived in Flagstaff where he had a commercial painting business. They relocated to Winslow where together they created and ran a popular furniture store. Health concerns later caused them to seek residence at lower altitudes in Camp Verde, Cottonwood and finally Prescott Valley. Craig was known for his quick wit, ever-present humor, at times mischievous, and positive attitude through life’s twists and turns. Throughout these he leaned into his faith. Craig, a child of God, and follower of Jesus Christ maintained a devotion to his faith, and great love for his family and country throughout his life.

Craig is preceded in death by his father Earl Orville Strong, his mother Vonna Mae Strong (nee Clark), his sister Candace Arlene Gonzales (nee Strong), in-laws, Roy and Corky Oxendale (mother and father), William Moore, Scott Sievert (brothers), Pamela Oxendale (sister). Craig is survived by his wife, Jane, his two children, Eric and Tara, and his 5 grandchildren, his sister Anvel Velvet Moore, brother-in-law(s) Joseph Gonzales, Rob, Tom Oxendale, sister-in-law Mary Sievert as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Currently there are no plans for a funeral service. Small gatherings of loved ones will be held in MN and AZ.

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” -Thucydides