Dan Craig

A memorial service will be held at 12:00pm Saturday, January 18, 2025 from the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner with Dr. Joseph Bunce officiating. Interment of cremains will be held at a later date in the Craig family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. 

Dan Edward Craig age 74 and a longtime Fort Sumner resident passed away tragically on December 24, 2024 in Fort Sumner. Dan was born in Fort Sumner to the home of Charlie “Sprout” and Lulu Mae “Jane” Craig. 

Dan attended Fort Sumner schools, graduating with the Fort Sumner High School Class of 1968. While in school Dan participated in Band and played basketball. Dan was taught a good work ethic by his parents. Dan and his brother Jesse worked alongside their parents when they operated the Lake Sumner Hideaway and later at Sprout’s Café in Fort Sumner. 

Following high school, Dan attended McMurry College in Abilene, Texas. He attended Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and received his Masters Degree at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Dan served as Pastor at two Methodist Church in Texas including the Methodist Church at Hale Center, Texas.

He returned to Fort Sumner to care for his parents and for many years operated Sprout’s Café. After the café closed, Dan managed the Fast Stop/Chisolm mini-mart in Fort Sumner. He retired from Chisolm and went to work at Family Dollar for a time. Dan was an active member of the Fort Sumner business community for many years. He sponsored the sourdough biscuit toss for Old Fort Days, and served as Director of the Chamber of Commerce for several years. 

 Dan was an active member of First Baptist Church Fort Sumner. He was active as a member of the Praise Team and loved to be part of the music ministries of First Baptist. Dan served in Ministry with The Church on The Hill in Fort Sumner for several years. He enjoyed playing the piano and singing. Dan was an avid reader; he enjoyed reading mystery novels. He enjoyed his daily visits to the Fort Sumner Senior Citizens Center.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law Jesse and Bobbie Craig.

Dan is survived by two nieces, Kimberly Joe Perez of Midland, Texas and Tracy Yvone Craig of Moscow, Idaho along with a host of friends.

Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311.