Craig Alan Lindstrom
July 17, 1949 - July 29, 2020
Obituary
Craig Alan Lindstrom, 71
of Burien, WA
July 17, 1949 to July 29, 2020.
Craig Alan Lindstrom passed away at Franciscan Hospice House on July 29, 2020.
Craig was born in Richland, Washington, July 17, 1949, at Kadlec Hospital to Paul and Dorothy Lindstrom.
Craig spent his early years in Richland with his parents and his sisters. He was always looking for adventure, and with the Yakima river close by, adventure was easy to find. Catching gophers, rafting and camping on the Yakima, riding bikes all the way to Walla Walla and searching for the elusive Sasquatch kept him busy. Summers were spent fishing and water skiing. Always looking for a challenge, he talked his father into towing 5 skiers at once, just to say he could.
He learned how to build and repair all sorts of things from his father. Sometime in junior high school he purchased the neighbor’s lawn mower for $5 and quickly repaired and sold it for $20. That was just the beginning of his opportunistic ability to find value where others see none.
Craig bought a Harley Davidson while he was in high school. He painted it yellow to match his bright yellow VW. About the same time, he adopted a beagle, Manfred, who loved to wander away from home. All Craig had to do was start up his Harley and Manfred would come running back home to get a ride perched on the bike.
Craig, friends and family would go camping at Priest Lake, Idaho. This involved packing everything we needed for a week of camping into our 16’ boat and driving out to an island with nothing but trees. They would also go to the sand dunes near Moses lake. Craig always took on the task of locating the spot for the latrine. A testimonial to Craigs pragmatic nature. Craig, while in nature, seemed drawn to interact with the native creatures of the forest by sitting patiently on a rock until he had chipmunks eating crackers out of his hand. He once caught a gopher by putting a loop around its hole then laying down on his stomach until the gopher poked its head up. He later brought it back to life on a heater after it froze in the garage overnight.
Craig was kindhearted to his family and friends. Soft spoken, yet fiercely loyal and dedicated to those he loved. He was very polite opening doors for people and listening respectfully to what they had to say.
In high school, Craig would often give his friends rides in a Ford Falcon with a missing back seat in between school and working at Albertsons. People in Craig’s Columbia High School yearbooks often commented on how nice and helpful he was. A trait he most likely inherited from his father. In the 1967 yearbook, Becki Romanelli even commented that Craig was a real man, and that there were not many of his kind left anymore and continued to write that she would miss seeing his shinning bright face. Then one day when Craig was riding his Harley home from school he pulled over and talked to Dawn, who was walking home from school, and the trajectory of his life was happily forever changed.
Craig married Dawn Leigh Shearer, the love of his life on December 16, 1967. Not long after, Paul Christopher Lindstrom, his only child, was born at Kadlec Hospital, Richland, WA, July 11, 1968. Craig was a very loving husband and caring father. Craig, later in 1972, would move to Seattle, WA to pursue his career endeavors with Albertsons and later with Wholesale Beverage Distribution.
Craig joined the Burien Fliers Semi pro Football team after a tryout in which he lied about his experience to get a shot at a position. Craig was unable to play football in High School because he broke his neck doing a backwards somersault in 6th grade and his mother would not sign the release form. This did not distract him from training and earning a spot on the team. Craig made the travel team in 1978 to play the Santa Ana Rhinos at the California Memorial Coliseum winning 3rd place in the Northwest International Football League. Craig was also a coach for the Highline Youth Recreational Association for eight years and Evergreen High School for a season, passing on his knowledge and passion for the sport to many young champions.
Craig’s natural talent for deal making and restoration allowed him to make many fruitful pursuits in real estate. He was an avid carpenter and sweat equity guru which allowed him to change several property liabilities into assets. Craig’s hard work ethics will reverberate from the void left in his absence for many years to come. Craig retired to his hobby of developing properties and making real estate deals which he loved to do.
Craig was an animal rights activist who cared deeply about the well being of pets that needed care and love. He donated time to several animal rescue facilities and helped bring peace and comfort to animals in need.
Craig was an incredible brother, husband, father, coach, sportsman, naturalist and businessman. He has now moved on to the Cosmic Consciousness, God speed.
Craig was a compassionate and loving person who will be missed by all who knew him. Craig is survived by his wife Dawn Lindstrom of Burien; son Paul Lindstrom (Shawn) of Burien; sisters Cheryl Petrie (Mel) of Silverdale and Karen Mercier (Terry) of Bothell; grandchildren Alix Lindstrom of Cle Elum and Bronte Lindstrom of Burien.
Due to covid-19 the celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Burien C.A.R.E.S., a no kill animal shelter and nonprofit, 909 SW 151st St, Burien, WA 98166, (206) 812-2737.
I am sorry to hear of Craig’s passing and remember him fondly. This is a terrible loss for his friends and family. What a blessing he was.
I was with Dawni when we first saw Craig driving down Lee Blvd. on his yellow harley. He was a wonderful guy, dad, son, brother and husband. He will be most certainly missed by his friends and family, he was their rock. RIP Craig, you were one of the good guys.
Thank you for these pictures. I remember him as a teenager and a man. He was such a family man. He will be dearly missed by all that knew him.
He was a great leader and an even better person, he will be missed.
So very sorry to hear of Craig’s passing, he was definitely one of a kind – thoughtful, considerate, and always gracious. Prayers and best wishes go out to his family during this difficult time.
Sorry to hear of Craig’s passing. I always enjoying working, being around Craig as he was always positive and was a great inspiration to others. He will greatly be missed!
One of the good ones taken from us all. Craig always greeted you with a smile, and with his hand extended. A true professional, but an even greater individual. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to both his immediate and extended families.
Terrielynn McPherson
So sorry to hear of Craig’s passing. Craig was just a year ahead in school and we knew each other from church and his father Paul introduced my family to boating on the Columbia in about 1960. He had built a 14 foot plywood boat with a 25 HP outboard and our families would picnic on the 3rd island off of N. Richland. He also introduced us to water skiing. In about 1962, Craig built a plywood camping box for his rubber raft and he and I put in near Prosser and floated down the Yakima river to Horn Rapids where we spent the night. We punctured the raft pulling it onto the shore and couldn’t repair it and were helped by a “good Samaritan” who gave us a ride to the Lindstrom’s house the following day. Thanks for the pictures and fine write-up… I have great memories from knowing Craig and his family.