Joseph William “J.W.” Craigen, Jr., 76, of Hamshire, died Monday, October 17, 2016, at his residence. He was born on June 13, 1940, in Beaumont, to Melba Marie Hidalgo Craigen and Joseph William Craigen, Sr., and had been a lifelong resident of the Hamshire-Fannett community.
J.W. was a pipefitter welder with Local 211, and went to work in 1985, at the U.S. Department of Energy Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Big Hill Site. He worked until 2001, when he took a medical retirement. He enjoyed life to the fullest and was a gentle giant with a razor sharp sense of humor. Some of his favorite pastimes were deer hunting and especially passing a good time with family, friends, good music, and his two loyal companions, Millie and Jake.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Sauls Craigen, of Hamshire; children, Sandy Lynn Marie Craigen and Vicki Lee Craigen, both of Port Acres; Janette Marie Craigen Sattler and her husband, Reggie, of Hamshire; Lanette Ann Craigen Clark and companion, Cully Daigle, of Fannett; Terri Lynn Breaux West and Brandon Breaux, both of Hamshire; grandchildren, Brent Thrasher and Ryan McDaniel, of Port Acres; Tanner LeBlanc, Tye LeBlanc, Courtney Clark Duhon, and Kade Clark, all of Winnie; and Tyler West, of Austin; great-grandchild, Marlee Reign Duhon; sisters, Barbara Ann Craigen Rayburn, of Mont Belvieu; and Kathy Craigen Comeaux, of Winnie.
J.W. was preceded in death by parents; and brother, Phillip Cyrus Craigen.
A gathering of Mr. Craigen’s family and friends will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. A private family committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Craigen’s name may be made to University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210 or to Spina Bifida Texas, 1550 NE Loop 410, Suite 224, San Antonio, Texas 78209.
