Roy Craig

Roy Delmont Craig was born March 8, 1883, in Selma, Oregon, to Charles Wesley and Sarah L. (Miller) Craig. He attended school in Selma. One of his friends was Clarence Frost in their growing-up years. At age twelve, he began working in the lumber mill to help support the large family of eleven children. One of his sister’s friends was Eva Mae Ragan, who became his wife on October 4, 1904.

After living in that area for several years, they moved to Dorris, California, where he managed the lumberyard of the sawmill. He was a good provider and loving father to the children that blessed their lives. A real sorrow came when their first boy died at four months of age from a heart condition.

Roy and Eva did not know they could have real salvation, but in 1924 Reverend Clarence Frost and a group arrived from Medford, Oregon, put up a large tent, and held revival meetings. By then the Craigs had eight living children. After a few meetings, they were wonderfully saved. A happy home became even happier. Some of the visitors stayed in their home. They loved caring for the needs of their visitors and it was wonderful for their children. Three of the eldest girls prayed through to salvation. Early in 1925, they moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon, to be in the church meetings there.

It was soon camp meeting time in Portland, Oregon, and they all left for camp meeting. It was a two-day trip to Portland. They camped beside the road the first night. The three-year-old daughter began coughing and choking with croup during the night. The family cried out to God, and she was instantly healed. The camp meeting was so wonderful. Roy, Eva, and two of the older girls were baptized in the Columbia River. Later they received their sanctification and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Roy was asked to be the usher in the Klamath Falls church, a privilege he held for many years.

Earnest prayer was made and he was completely healed during the night.

He began working at Shaw-Bertram Lumber Company after camp meeting. The lumber was moved around the yard by horse and wagon. A horse kicked him, breaking his jaw and cutting off the top of his ear. He was taken to the hospital where it was decided to operate the next day. Earnest prayer was made and he was completely healed during the night. The missing part of his ear was a reminder of that miracle.

One Sunday night in April, 1928, during a church service, the family was called home to a fire. Roy returned with the news that the two bedrooms of the house belonging to the girls had been completely destroyed. Nothing was saved but the clothes they were wearing. Several church families took the children home for the night. The parents stayed in the smoke-damaged home in case the fire re-ignited. The owners of the house had insurance, and repairs started the next day. All available folks from the church helped with the cleanup. Boxes of clothing, bedding, and all that was needed seemed to come from all sides. The Lord provided so wonderfully. Rooms were cleaned of smoke damage and made livable for the family to be together while the repairs were being made.

Services for the Klamath Falls congregation were held in several rented buildings until 1937. At that time, a home was purchased. It was raised, and an addition was built beneath for the sanctuary. The church was located on Eighth Street and was dedicated in 1940.

When World War II started, the first young man from the church to be drafted was Roy and Eva’s son, Alfred. One by one the young men left. Another of the sons served in the Navy and was sent to the South Pacific. It was such a happy time when they came home safely.

In 1946, it was announced before the camp meeting that the church in Klamath Falls would be closed. Members of the congregation were scattered; a number of them and several other members of their families moved to Eureka, California, where a new area had opened up for the Gospel. The Craigs moved there in August. The men helped to remodel the church on F Street, and the women cooked the meals for the laborers. Some of the women pulled nails from boards to be reused. Roy Craig was again the usher and he also helped take care of the flower gardens.

Roy, along with two of his sons and one son-in-law, found work at a mill manufacturing redwood products. Being allergic to redwood, he developed redwood poisoning and cancer developed in his lungs. He was given sixty days to live, but God healed him completely. He was back to work in thirty days! He worked another ten years, retiring at age seventy-five.

Roy’s wife went to her reward on Valentine’s Day, 1970. He remained alone for a few years before moving to Medford, Oregon, where his daughter Hazel cared for him. He went to be with the Lord on April 19, 1976, after seeing a number of visions into Heaven. He was a small, quiet man, but big in his dedication to God.