1973 Gary Alan Craft (63)

[Mary Susan Taylor]

1973 Gary Alan Craft (63)

 

Monterey Herald, CA July 7, 2018 (scanned)

1954 – 2018 Gary Alan Craft / July 4, 2018 Corral de Tierra / "Strummin' my six string on my front porch swing" - Words from the song Margaritaville, sung by Jimmy Buffett, depict one of Gary's favorite pastimes since his retirement in December from the District Attorney's Office as its Chief Investigator. Gary was not only a very talented musician and vocalist, but he was an outstanding athlete through college playing football and baseball. He remained very active and competitive throughout his 63 years, which recently included joining the Monterey Velo Club and cycling with his wife, Lisa. Gary's magnanimous smile will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched. Gary was born in Iowa City, Iowa. He moved with his family to California and attended Forest Grove Elementary School and Pacific Grove High School, graduating with his identical twin brother, John, in 1974. John, Gary and their older brother Tom excelled in athletics as boys, playing baseball for Pacific Grove High school on the same team - Gary the catcher, Tom the pitcher and John playing in the outfield. Gary earned his Associate of Science Degree in Administration of Justice from Monterey Peninsula College, his Bachelor's Degree from St. Mary's College in Moraga and Master's Degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University. Gary was awarded the "Executive Certificate" from the California Peace Officers Standards and Training, which is the highest law enforcement certificate issued in California, and in 2016 Gary graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. His exemplary forty year plus career in law enforcement began after he graduated from the Gavilan Police Academy in 1976. He worked for the Seaside Police Department as a reserve officer, the Pacific Grove Police Department as a patrol officer, the Monterey County Sheriff's Department as a patrol officer and as a member of several special unit teams including the Narcotic Team. Gary began his career at the Monterey County District Attorney's Office in 1994, where his efforts to prosecute crime culminated in his being appointed as the Chief Investigator in 2007 and his retirement in December, 2017. Gary peacefully passed away at home the morning of July 4th. He is survived by his loving wife Lisa, his mother Mary, two daughters, Keleigh Sanchez (Teddy) and Amber Monroy (Vince), his identical twin brother, John Craft and his wife, Lisa, their older brother Tom and his wife Kathy and five grandchildren, Vincent, Mason and Tamara Monroy and Avery and Carter Sanchez. He will also be missed by his beloved Morkie, Sabiha and Multipoo, Noah. Visitation will be at Struve & Laporte Funeral Chapel, 41 West San Luis Street, Salinas on Friday, July 13, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Compass Church, 1044 South Main Street, Salinas, CA. 93901.