Bryan Craig

This won’t be a normal obituary mainly because Bryan Craig was not a normal man. He lived life like it was Homecoming week and the theme of the day was “anything but serious” day. The son of Don and Dorothy Craig, Bryan rolled in on October 11, 1974, in Batesville, AR, and rolled out on November 18, 2025, in Jonesboro, AR. He was born only one day after his older brother’s 12th birthday and stole the show for the entirety of his short 51 years. In true “Bryan fashion”, his passing was considered newsworthy by multiple agencies. 

Bryan lived life to the fullest. He grew up in Mtn. View, an offensive lineman for the Yellow Jackets, playing with such zeal that he broke his foot and spent his senior year on crutches. He loved WWE and used to pretend wrestle his nieces and nephews. He started working at Sonic in high school and continued with the company when he moved to Jonesboro for college, working his way up the ranks into management. All of his employees loved him!

 While playing co-ed softball with his Sonic crew one season Bryan set his eyes on a beautiful young blonde, Misty Presley, who joined the team with a friend. After one of their games, they talked for 3 hours straight. That was all she wrote, Bryan was in love. He knew from that first conversation that Misty was who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and he did just that. They were married just shy 23 years, loving each other fiercely, and he always said she was “the best thing that ever happened to him”.

 Eventually he left Sonic to work at Walmart and later Sams Club where he was the best meat carver! He cut steaks so well that people specifically requested him. He was passionate not only about cutting pork, but also cooking and eating it. He loved to host a good ole fashioned BBQ, and made what one might call “kitchen sink” BBQ sauce. It was never the same twice, but always tasted good; you just knew not to ask what he put in it or you might be grossed out. Anything in the refrigerator was fair game. 

We would be remiss not to mention his professional crop dusting career. He was proud of his capabilities, but the smell of the gasses he sprayed could clear a room.

 An AVID Dallas Cowboys fan, one of his favorite pastimes was standing in the living room while the game was on, yelling at the TV as if he were Jimmy Johnson himself.

 Bryan loved traveling with his family, and especially enjoyed the beaches in Navarre, Florida. Other hobbies included golfing with his son-in-law, playing the role of Santa at family Christmas, and frequently wearing blue gym shorts with a t-shirt that was a different shade of blue. He claimed they matched because, “they are both blue” but also justified this quirk by saying, “I got dressed in the dark, what do you want from me?” He also particularly loved calling people on the phone to talk about the weather (literally), bugging the mess out of everyone, and making people laugh. 

He had 6 daughters and was beyond devoted to his family. He was an amazing girl dad and loved nothing more than spending time with his girls. Despite crazy schedules, he worked 2 or 3 jobs to make sure his wife and kids were provided for ALWAYS. But we also knew that every year when he got his tax return he was going to buy a new TV, always bigger than the last. If the living room TV had gotten any bigger it might’ve been bigger than the wall. It was his part time work that led him to a full-time position driving for Frito Lay. He was so excited to have a more regular schedule and to finally get his own route. This was partly because he would have more time to spend with his new baby grandson Kaizen. He was so so proud of him and had full intentions of being the BEST PopPop ever. But probably Bryan was just that kind of guy, probably. He was a lover of people, especially his people! 

Bryan was greeted on the other side by his grandparents, a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his sweet mother-in-law Sue Presley. After 15 long years apart, he was probably most excited to get the BIGGEST neck hug from his dad, Don Craig.

 He is now there smiling down on his loving wife, Misty Craig of the home and despite his repeated attempts, not a single son, but 6 beautiful daughters: Taylor Tubbs and husband Houston, Skylar, also known as KyKy, Ashlyn aka Ashy, Malorie aka MalMal, Haley aka Toodles, and Brooklyn aka Ricky Bobby Craig. In his grandchildren he FINALLY got his boys, two grandsons: Colson and Kaizen Tubbs. He is also sending love and hugs to his mama, Dorothy Craig; father-in-law, Royce Presley; brother, Brent Craig and wife Tina; sister, Danette Richardson and husband Neal; brother-in-law Daniel Presley and wife Niki; many nieces and nephews: Tracy and husband Cody Duncan, Kacie and husband Ryan Altom, Lauren Craig, Kassie and husband Matt Robinson, Heather Sanderson and husband Fraser, Ryan and wife Samantha Richardson, Raelyn and husband Jace Tinkle; Joshua, Jonas, Jenna, and Jessalyn Duncan; Graden and AJ Altom; Avery and Addie Martin; Lettie and Lyndee Robinson; Charlie and William Richardson; Logan McFarland; and Khloe Hall as well as a host of friends and coworkers who loved him dearly. 

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Emerson Memorial Chapel in Jonesboro, AR. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. A graveside service will be begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday November 24, 2025 at Flatwoods Cemetery in Mountain View, AR.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. For those wishing to make a tribute, donations can be made to the Bryan Craig Memorial Fund at Centennial Bank for the benefit of Bryan’s surviving children.