He was born Sept. 4, 1936, in Oroville, Wash., to Earnest and Lucile (Warner) Hardin. He was the fourth of six children born to the Hardins.
Craig, who was known as Preston by family and friends growing up, graduated in 1954 from Milton-Freewater’s McLoughlin High School, where he was active in FFA. He joined the U.S. Air Force shortly thereafter, serving on active duty in the U.S. and France until 1959, and in the reserves until 1961.
After his discharge from the Air Force, he moved to Southern California, where he was first employed by Address-a-Graph/Multigraph Corp. and later by Lundberg Survey.
He married Marcella Kodis on March 25, 1961. They were the parents of one son, Steven, born in 1966.
Marcy and Craig resided first in Los Angeles and then Sylmar, Calif., until the late 1980s, at which time they moved to Vancouver, Wash., where he taught printing for one year at Evergreen High School.
In 1991, Craig and Marcy sold their place in Vancouver and purchased the Flying Arrow Resort at Wallowa Lake, which they operated until 2005. After selling the resort, they then retired to Walla Walla.
Craig is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marcy, in Walla Walla; son, Steve and wife Barbara of Acton, Calif.; three grandchildren, Andrew (Rebecca), Morgan and Heather; sisters and spouses, Rozella (Bob) Beach of College Place, Grace (Charles) Phillips of Walla Walla; brother, Rod (Sheila) Hardin of Hermiston; sister-in-laws, Bonnie Hardin of Pocatello, Idaho, and Barbara Wester of Las Vegas; along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Lucile Hardin; sister, Verna Hardin Miller; and brother, Dave Hardin.
The family would especially like to thank Don and Jan Potter, Tiffany Hardin and Walla Walla Valley Hospice for the excellent care Preston received during his last illness.
A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at Bethel Assembly of God, 342 S. Wilbur St., Walla Walla. Memorial contributions can be made to Walla Walla Valley Hospice or to Hermiston Christian School through Munselle Rhodes Funeral Home.
