Craig Donald Madison was born on July 22, 1962 in Aberdeen, WA to Dwain and Sandi Madison. He lived in Central Park as a child and later moved in to Aberdeen, where he attended Hopkins Junior High School.
In 1980, Craig graduated from Weatherwax High School and in November of that year, he joined the Air Force. On March 21, 1981, he married his high school sweetheart, Tamra Boeholt and they moved to Abilene, TX where he was stationed.
Since January 1983, Craig has had complications from an arsenic injury, which happened in the line of duty. He has been completely aware, has had his memory, was comfortable, happy & healthy with his loving wife, Tamra happily by his side on a daily basis for 32 years at the American Lake VA in Tacoma, WA. The care, love & compassion the VA Staff gave to Craig each day was wonderful & extraordinary! He absolutely loved their funny jokes, teasing him, singing & dancing, their playing his favorite funny CD’s, favorite music CD’s, television shows he enjoyed and just visiting him and keeping him happy at all hours of the day & night. He truly loved them as much as they loved him...as his wife did as well, it was a beautiful family environment.
On December 8, 2014, after 7 weeks of respiratory problems at Madigan Army Hospital, Craig passed away peacefully in his wife’s arms with his mother-in-law, Ruth and father-in-law, Jens at his side.
Craig is survived by his wife Tamra (Boeholt) Madison, the entire Boeholt Family, mother Sandi (Burnham), brother Brian Madison and many loving Aunts, Uncles, Nieces & Nephews.
Craig had a great excitement for life and enjoyed wrestling in Junior High & High School, he loved motorcycles, fixing up old vehicles, fishing, golf, animals and music. He was the lead singer in a rock band in Abilene and he taught himself how to play the 6-string & 12-string guitars. He also loved playing the drums & harmonica.
On Sunday, December 21, 2014, the Boeholt Family had a beautiful “Celebration of Craig’s Life” at Fern Hill Funeral Home’s Dorothy Mann reception room. We all told our favorite stories & memories of Craig’s life, had a celebratory toast to him, ate chocolate chip cookies & milk (his favorite) and everyone wrote a special message on paper to him & attached them to helium balloons, which we let go outdoors & sent off to heaven for Craig to read. We will all miss him, his wonderful smile and outstanding sense of humor. “We love you so very much, Craig!”
If you would like to pay your respects, Craig’s grave marker will be at Fern Hill Cemetery’s Urn Garden, 2212 Roosevelt St., Aberdeen.
A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home, 2208 Roosevelt St., Aberdeen.
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