James H.Craig, age 87, a resident of Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. He was born May 18, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois when his mother, Lillian, was 42 years old. She was warned by doctors not to carry him to term, but she showed her unending love by sacrificially giving birth to him in spite of those warnings.

Lillian continued to sacrifice her own basic needs to raise Jim through a tumultuous childhood. It included evictions from at least four different apartments for non-payment of rent and attendance at four different grade schools and two boarding schools. At one point, Chicago school officials warned Lillian, a single mom by that time, that Jim would be sent to a reform school in Chicago for high school if she did not get him out of town, hence boarding school. Through his mother's prayers, he made it to his senior year of high school.

Sick and tired of his sin and rebellion and with years of Lillian's prayers behind him, Jim asked Jesus Christ into his life and became a born again Christian in the summer of 1950. Following that decision, all the remarkable things that took place in his life were by God's grace and for his glory.

At that point, the change in Jim could not have been more dramatic. He went from being six credits behind for graduation and being asked to leave school to having a new love for learning and making the honor roll. He lettered in three sports, received an MVP award, and received an invitation to serve on the student council. The transformation in his heart was so evident that at first the faculty at his second boarding school thought it was just a new "act"!

The Korean war was being fought during his high school years, and after graduation Jim answered the call to the military, serving 2 years in basic combat training and signal corps training. After those two years, a truce was declared. Jim believed God had his hand in this. Because of Jim's signal training, he was sent to Germany to be part of the cold war. After his military service was completed, Jim went on to work for Western Electric installing telephone switchboard offices in Chicago.

Also around this time Jim's father, William, who had walked out of his life when he was six, returned when Jim was 18 and died a year later. Three years after that, Lillian, his mother, went home to her reward at the age of 63.

God began leading Jim to pursue more education and, after taking several community college courses, Jim enrolled at Trinity International University.  There he had many adventures and wonderful times, including opportunities to serve as student body president and letter in basketball and baseball. But most important of all, Jim met God's greatest blessing (after personal salvation), Monica Johnson! Jim was thankful to God for their wonderful 62 years of marriage - "to God be the glory and thank you Lord!."

Jim served in education for 30 years as a teacher, department head, assistant principal and guidance counselor. Another "glory to God" moment was his induction into the Who's Who of America's Teachers in 1993. He went on to earn additional degrees in education from Chicago State University and Northern Illinois University and certificates in teaching, counseling and school administration.

Jim also served 30 years in law enforcement as an immigration officer and inspector for the Department of Justice, stationed at O'Hare Airport. He was able to assist many returning missionaries, short-term groups returning home, and foreign students traveling to attend Trinity, Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, etc.

Jim loved serving God in the local church. He had the privilege of teaching students and parents in classes at Wheaton Evangelical Free Church for 15 years. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association team called him to be a television and telephone counselor at the Billy Graham Center in Wheaton, where he ministered for 15 years. He had the privilege of praying on the phone with many Billy Graham crusade viewers who made decisions to receive Christ as their Savior. Jim also served at the Carol Stream post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars as their chaplain for 15 years.

Jim survived prostate cancer and dealt with resulting health complications for many years. Among the many blessings of being married to Monica was her devotion to nursing him through a number of these periods of illness and recovery.

Upon moving to Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center in Rockford, Illinois, he joined the local gym and enjoyed taking opportunities to witness to others about his wonderful Savior.  He led Bible studies, mentored Christian men throughout their faith journeys, and was a devoted member of Hope Church in Roscoe, Illinois.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Monica, two sons, Daniel (Linda) Craig of West Chicago and Thomas (Karen) Craig of Arlington Heights, five grandchildren, Johanna (Tyson) Halley, Alyson (Dustin) Jansen, Andrew (Liz) Craig , Tyler Craig and Stephen Craig, four great-grandchildren, Leah, Katherine, Jameson and Margaret.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 24 at 11:00 am, at Hope Church,5656 Elevator Rd, Roscoe, IL 61073 (815) 623-6545

A livestream of the service will be found here.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission) or Carol Steam VFW.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.