Craig M. Major

On June 8, 2022, we lost a beloved man known throughout his family, friends and community for his thoughtfulness and desire to make people know that they were special and loved.  As was the Major way, Craig Michael Major, 53, fought a valiant fight and lost his battle with cancer at home with his wife Laurie by his side.

Craig was born January 19, 1969 in Grand Rapids, MI.  He grew up there with his little sister Jodi Reynolds whom he loved beyond measure and his beloved mother Judy Major.  Laurie and Craig met in Grand Rapids and were married in Laurie’s hometown Bay City, on June 17, 1995.  A few short weeks before their son Jacob was born in 1997, they moved to Indian River where his biological family lived.  Finding and getting to know his biological family filled a hole in Craig that helped to make him complete. From March 2000 to March 2013, he owned and operated Big Jake’s Quick Lube in Cheboygan.  He had customers and friends that drove from all over to get their oil changed at Big Jakes’s because he was honest and fair.  Every child that passed through his door was able to pick out a matchbox car to take home with them.  Making children smile was his gift to this world. After closing his business, he transitioned to head custodian at Inland Lakes Schools which was his life’s calling.  Craig loved being a part of the Inland Lakes School System and cherished his days there.  He built relationships with students and staff that will never be forgotten.  Craig loved unconditionally and always rooted for the underdog, cared for those who needed caring for, taught lessons that needed to be learned and didn’t overlook the little things that mattered most.  When his great niece Emmalynn Connelly started school at the elementary, he changed his work schedule so that he could spend her lunch hours with her.  He wanted to be the one to open her milk and tie her shoes.  Those lunch hours brought him great joy and he was soon known for drawing pictures on the multi-purpose room floor with his mop and telling jokes.  At home he always had pop it noise makers for the kids to throw on the ground and tootsie pop suckers which he kept in a mug by the door just in case someone little came to visit.  He adored his neighbor Audrey Cronk and took her for walks daily until she moved.  Craig died too young but was able to have a grandfather experience with some very special kids, Emmalynn, Julianne and Brooks Connelly, Audrey Cronk, Hudson and Huck Nash and Mason Gardener to name a few.

Craig is survived by his wife Laurie Van Mullekom Major, sons Jacob (Sydney) and Tyler Major.  His mother Judy Major, sister Jodi Reynolds, his bother Brian (Dawn) Grant, mom Katherine Jones and stepdad William Jones, brothers Bryan (Kelley) Jones, Josh (Kristi) Jones, sisters Jessie (Kevin) Parrott, Jodi (Adam) Jones and June (Jon) Evans.  In laws, Ann (Mark) Phillips, Don (Josie) Van Mullekom, Larry (Sara) Van Mullekom, Mark, Matt and Ryan Phillips, Kurt and John Van Mullekom, Melissa (Steve) Bergey, Sarah (Luke) Wahr, Amy (Ben) Wilson and countless nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Craig was preceded in death by his infant daughter Jessica Ann Major, niece Makayla Connelly, grandparents John and Jeanne Kenny, Max and June Meek. He will truly be missed.

A celebration of life will take place Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 4:00 at the Inland Lakes High School Gym, 4363 S. Straits Hwy, Indian River. Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on his guestbook below.