Craig Ackerman, 41, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 1, 2008, at his Tillamook home with family by his side.
There was a memorial service today at the Tillamook Church of the Nazarene. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, First and Church streets.
Craig was born at Denville, N.J., on June 27, 1966, to John and Barbara Wallace Ackerman. He grew up in New Jersey, and in Baker City, where he graduated from high school in 1984.
After attending Oregon State University at Corvallis for a couple of terms, Craig moved to Randolph, N.J., in 1987, apprenticing as a brick mason through Local 37 in Dover, N.J., eventually earning his journeyman’s certificate.
In 1990 he and Janet Curl were married in Tillamook. Craig worked as a construction worker, brick mason and heavy equipment operator, the last few years with Curl and Son Backhoe.
He was a big New York Yankees fan, and enjoyed playing men’s league and co-ed baseball. Among his many interests were collecting sports cards, playing poker, cribbage and pinochle, and collecting Christmas Budweiser steins. He was known for putting people at ease with his advice – he was a walking encyclopedia of quotes and one-liners, his family said.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Kevin Ackerman.
Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Janet Ackerman of Tillamook, and their children, John and Erin Ackerman; his parents, John and Barbara Ackerman of Baker City; two brothers, J.P. Ackerman and Mike Ackerman, both of Boise; a sister, Katie Ackerman of Portland; his grandfather, William Wallace of McMinnville; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through Waud’s Funeral Home, 1414 Third St., Tillamook, OR 97141.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 7, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor