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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 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 at- High School, graduating with his identical twin brother, John, in 1974. John, Gary and their older brother Tom Grove High school on the same team - Gary the catcher, 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 cate 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 and as a member of several special unit teams including the Narcotic Team. Gary began his career at the Monterey forts 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 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.
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Wayne Thomas (Thomas)
From the first day I arrived to PG High during my mid-year of my junior class, Gary welcomed me as if I had been there from the beginning. Through football, baseball as his back-up catcher, and even the infamous snow-ball fight the last week of school, Gary was always someone special to me, one that never saw color or race, but only friends and adversaries in the sports we played and the fairness in how he saw life in general. I'm sad today after reading about his homegoing, more that we didn't know each other longer than school allowed, but be assured his spirit will carry on the character and personality of my friend. My prayers an and blessings to his family and friends; he was one of the good guys!
Dorothy Murphy (Henricksen)
For some reason I will always remember the twins in the (6th grade?) talent show playing "Lemon Tree" on their guitars. Probably had a crush on one or both of them. This is a loss. A wonderful family to know even peripherally. My heart goes out to their mom and to John and Tom. RIP Gary.
David Fitzpatrick
I first met Gary and his twin brother, John, when I started, in the middle of fourth grade, at Forest Grove Elementary School. I moved here with my parents, from Florida, during Easter vacation, 1965. Gary and John, and several others, became my friends right away. I attended school, all the way through high school, with Gary. I'll always remember him as a great athlete, and a popular guy. His accomplishments, in life, are extraordinary. Last time I saw Gary, was at our 35th reunion, in 2008. I was amazed at how little he had changed in all those years. I remember Gary going out for track, our freshman year. We ran the same event, the mile.I looked forward, to competing with him, but he chose to play baseball. Of course, he excelled in Baseball, as well as other sports. Rest in peace, my long time friend. David Fitzpatrick..