Jonathan Edward Craig

Jonathan Edward Craig, age 32, passed away suddenly Friday, March 21st, 2025. Jonathan, a native of Sparta Tennessee, was born in Memphis, TN on January 6, 1993. His parents relocated to Sparta when Jonathan was 3 years old, and his sister, Lauren, was 3 months old. He attended elementary and middle schools in DeKalb County and White County where his parents are teachers. He graduated from White County High School with honors in 2011. As both his parents are teachers, they had the honor of having him in their classroom at least once during his younger educational years.

During high school, he loved to play guitar, and he was active in his youth worship band. He played soccer during middle school, and he ran cross country in high school. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Tennessee Tech University in 2017.

While at Tech, Jonathan became a brother of The Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, gaining many lifelong friends, serving as a leader and mentor within the fraternity. Continuing his passion for leadership and following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, grandfather, and uncle, Jonathan enlisted in the United States Army, Tennessee National Guard as a Private First Class and would earn the rank of Captain before his passing.

In 2020, Jonathan began to date his long-time friend Cara Hughey. Jonathan and Cara’s relationship spanned many years starting as friends, progressing to partners and ended as soul mates. Jonathan was a husband who loved and cared deeply, and he leaves behind a wife who will always love him.

Jonathan loved attending Michigan and Cleveland Brown football games with his dad and particularly enjoyed the fun competitive spirit of family fantasy football leagues.

Jonathan is preceded in death by his great grand-father, SGT Edward Craig (US Army, Edwards Air Force Base, CA); great grand-father, Master SGT Jess Barnett (US Army, Bentonville, AR); uncle, SGT James M. Fleming (US Army, Memphis); his grandfather, Charles Craig (Cookeville), and his grandmother, Jeanne Fleming (Marked Tree, AR); and great aunt, Jackie Hays (Memphis).

Jonathan is survived by his wife, Cara Craig; his parents, Ken and Lisa Craig; his sister, Lauren Kennedy (Jeff Kennedy and nephew Theo); his grandparents, Staff SGT Jim and Pam Fleming, and Kaye Standifer (Jim Standifer); his aunts, Annabelle Akers (Tom Akers) and Jennifer Fisher (Mark Fisher); his uncle, Chuck Craig (Renee Craig); and his cousins Josh, Jeremy (Kaitlyn Craig), and Bekah Craig, Kevin and Brian Akers, AJ Fleming, Marvin Loft, Meghan Nipper, Wyatt and Everett Fisher.

Although Jonathan was dedicated to his career as an engineer, his true passion was serving his country and caring for his soldiers as he followed in the footsteps of many of his family members, taking great pride to serve our country. He went above and beyond the call of duty, day or night, for those he served with.

Jonathan was known for his infectious humor and his ability to make anyone laugh. Whether in a tense moment or an everyday conversation, he had a gift for lightening the mood with a grin or a well-timed joke.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 29th, 2025 at The River Community Church on Miracle Road in Cookeville, TN. Visitation will be held from 1:00pm to 3:00pm CST and service at 3:00pm. Burial will be held in Knoxville, TN April 1st, 2025 at The East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on E Gov. John Sevier Hwy at 10:00am EST.

Jonathan was also a strong advocate for military mental health awareness. To honor this, in lieu of flowers, we would like donations sent to Peace Mountain Ranch, a veteran owned and operated organization “dedicated to past and present military service members and their families. That helps establish opportunities where they can find a revived existence of peace, hope and purpose” all free of charge.

Jonathan’s kindness, humor, and generosity will forever be remembered and missed by all who knew him.

https://www.peacemtnranch.org/donate

You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.