It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James David McCraw, 76, of Goldthwaite, Texas, who died on January 24th, 2025, in Round Rock, Texas.
James (Jim) was born on March 23, 1948, in Dallas Texas to Claud Alvin and Dorothy Mae Shaddox McCraw. The family lived in the Dallas area most of his younger life. Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman whose skills were enhanced by his father Claud’s teachings.
Jim married Candi Strickland McCraw on April 9, 1984. They moved to the Colleyville area and raised three children. Chad David McCraw (deceased), Christopher Jon Craig and Jame’ DeLyn McCraw.
Their home was always open to the neighborhood kids and was considered a safe place and pleasant environment for after school activities, to grab a snack or just to have someone to talk to.
In his youth Jim, “Little Jimmy” often visited the local Fire Station in Dallas, TX where he was mentored by local firefighters there who allowed him to hang out after school and on weekends, introducing him to his future career. Jim tried to instill the dedication and work ethics he learned from his own mentors to the youngsters he often found in his own home as he returned from his tour at work, sharing his knowledge of mechanics, shing and hunting or military service as a guideline for their own futures.
Jim enlisted in the US Navy in 1968 during the Vietnam Conflict serving on the ight deck of the Aircraft carrier USS Shangri La as crash and salvage personnel until 1971.
In December of 1971 Jim “Quick Draw” was hired by the Dallas Fire Department where he achieved Master Firefighter status. Jim retired after 32 years as a Driver Engineer at Station 16.
Having spent much of his boyhood in the kitchen with his mother he learned the love of cooking. He carried his passion for cooking to all the Fire Stations he worked at as well as sharing his “Fire House Chili” at numerous CASI Chili Cookoffs. He was presented numerous awards of distinction at Terlingua and other Texas locations.
Additionally, “Big Jim” as known by his friends, carried his skills to include love of animals, children, or disabled persons. No wounded animal, wayward child or lonely veteran or elderly person was ever left behind. Jim and fellow Firefighters would escort residents of the State School for the Disabled to the State Fair each year.
Jim was a Brave Navy Veteran, Courageous Firefighter, Dedicated Husband, Loving Father and mentor, caring friend, coworker and neighbor.
Jim never met a stranger. He loved the water and shing and the friends he met on the docks. He took in anyone who needed a friend or mentor and knew them all as “family.” Jim loved hunting and was a “straight shooter” with his friends as well.
Big Jim is preceded in death by his father Claud Alvin, mother Dorothy Mae, sister Claudia Floyd and son Chad David McCraw.
Jim is survived by his wife Candi Strickland McCraw of Goldthwaite, son Chris Craig and wife Leigh Anne of Celina TX, daughter Jame’ McCraw with husband Bruce Blay of Garland. Jim leaves two grandsons, CJ Craig, and Charlie “Boots” Blay and many more family members and friends.
A memorial service will held Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Stacy-Wilkins Chapel in Goldthwaite, Texas at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to: The Humane Society of Central Texas, PO Box 25, Waco, Texas 76703.