James Neal Craig, age 75 of Golden Valley, passed away on Saturday, March 01, 2025.

James was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. The eldest son of the late Harold De Forest Craig and Etta Mae Craig (Worrell). James was raised with three younger siblings and grew up in Garden Grove, California.

After graduating Westminster High School in 1967, James joined the United States Navy, honorably discharged in 1972. James' passion for writing led him to his first professional opportunity as a staff writer for American Greeting Cards in Cleveland, Ohio. American Greeting Cards quickly recognized James' talents as a writer and poet, publishing several books and greeting cards in a short period, promoting him quickly to Editor of the "Soft Touch" Division for American Greeting Cards. Returning to the West Coast, James held several diverse positions while pursuing his dreams of writing poetry and songs.

James married Barbara (Gallup) Cambridge in June 1988 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he pursued endlessly the challenges of being a songwriter while working for the City of Brentwood as an inspector until moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1995. Primarily being a stay-at-home Dad, after raising their three children Casey, Cara and Kate, he retired from Rosemont, a division of Emerson Process Management after 15 years.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Barbara of Golden Valley, North Carolina, Daughters Katelin Rose (Craig) Zachman (Andrew) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Cara (Cambridge) Reese of Woodruff, South Carolina and son Casey Cambridge (Jackie) of Chanhassen, Minnesota. He is also survived by his brother, Paul Craig (Brent Ferrero) of Winder, Georgia, sisters Cathy (Craig) Goalen and (Craig Goalen) of Winder, Georgia and Susan (Craig) Clayton of Bedford, Texas along with several nieces & nephews. He has been blessed with five Grandchildren: Isabelle and Maxwell Reese, Luna and Merik Zachman and Cole Cambridge.

A Celebration of Life event will be held in Bostic, North Carolina on August 12, 2025. A Funeral Service will be held at graveside at the Summit Cemetery in Summit, NY at a later date.

Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society and/or the Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue. Online condolences may be sent to the family at: legacy.com.

Robert Morgan Funeral and Cremation Service, LLC is honored to serve the Craig Family. Memorial tributes may be made at www.rsmorganfsl.com.