Certainly one of the TOP (maybe the best) all - around athletes in our class. Excellent in both golf and basketball / on both teams. Not overly "large" / but taller than average, and slight of build. He was part of the highly anticipated '68 / '69 basketball team that was pre - season ranked as high as #2 in the state, behind eventual champion GRANT (Portland). Craig was the only original "starter" on the team that was left after the other 4 got kicked off the team early in the season. They skipped school and went to the beach for the day and returned to practice that afternoon. Craig most likely did not join them - as his mother worked in the OFFICE, and he would certainly have been caught! The team finished with a 7 - 15 record. Craig was not overly "fast" - and had a bit of a "hitch" when running, but understood the game well (team player), and was a consistant scorer / team leader - and excellent passer. His signature play was what I called his "scoop" shot. During a fast break lay - up he would bring the ball up from the floor by his hip - with 2 hands, and scoop it up to the backboard! He could have played on the SS baseball team (and been a star) - but chose the Golf team - as he was a scratch golfer. In GOLF - South took second in the State in 1969, losing in a playoff to Lake Oswego HS. Craig had two rounds of 145 in the tournament (even par is 144). Very fine playing. In 1970 when we all came home from college, Craig played second base for an excellent all "South Salem grad" softball team that eventually was sponsored by the "tool Crib" - a new bar downtown (1971). He played on several teams for the next 10 years, and pitched, played short stop and 3rd base. He was a fabulous infielder. Average throwing arm , but had a tremendous "glove" and could field most anything. He was a consistant base hitter, but I did see him hit a home run one time, so he did have some "power". He also loved to play Poker and pinball (played both with him many times) - as he had excellent hand eye coordination (pinball).The last time I saw him was about 3 years ago when a bunch of us played golf at Salem Golf Club. I saw him on the practice putting green. I walked up to him from behind and said "THE BONNEY SCOOP SHOT". He turned around and grinned saying "that was my shot". His closest friends in HS called him "Hooley" - which he didn't particularly care for! Another one was "Bonateus". One of his best friends (Gary Johnson) constantly flipped him crap and probably came up with the names. One of Craigs most used phrases was "CHOD" meaning he was being cheated, and "tip" or "tipper" for having too much to drink. PS = after talking with Bob Gadach the other night - who coached, managed and played with Craig, and thinking it over carefully, I am going to go out on a limb here and declare Craig to be the best "all - around" athlete for the 3 years we were at South! He could really do it all. He loved to compete in ANYTHING and was a very "smart" athlete. "GOLF" is the determiner for me.....As Michael Jordan once proclaimed = "Tiger Woods is the best athlete in the world, as Golf is the toughest sport".
Craig's Memorial gathering was last evening. It was..... touching, fitting and a little bittersweet. It was so great to see so many from the class of 1969, '68 and '70 as well, celebrating Craig's life. The reason we gathered was to honor Craig and that was the bitter part; Craig was not present. The sweet part was the love and the friendship that permeated the entire event in memory of Craig. It was lovely to see Craig's 'best friends' from many years past as well as recent - to see his mother, sister, wife and family in general, together celebrating Craig. I agree Robbie Curtis - he was truely a 'good guy'. That was evident from the many who came from far and near to say good-bye and remember Craig. I'm just so sorry that I hadn't seen him in many years. My memory of Craig from our friendship years past is one of compassion, humor, friendship and that consistent smile - always a smile on his face. It was a lovely tribute to Craig's life at Rudy's....he will certainly be remembered and mourned by many.
Robert Curtis
Certainly one of the TOP (maybe the best) all - around athletes in our class. Excellent in both golf and basketball / on both teams. Not overly "large" / but taller than average, and slight of build. He was part of the highly anticipated '68 / '69 basketball team that was pre - season ranked as high as #2 in the state, behind eventual champion GRANT (Portland). Craig was the only original "starter" on the team that was left after the other 4 got kicked off the team early in the season. They skipped school and went to the beach for the day and returned to practice that afternoon. Craig most likely did not join them - as his mother worked in the OFFICE, and he would certainly have been caught! The team finished with a 7 - 15 record. Craig was not overly "fast" - and had a bit of a "hitch" when running, but understood the game well (team player), and was a consistant scorer / team leader - and excellent passer. His signature play was what I called his "scoop" shot. During a fast break lay - up he would bring the ball up from the floor by his hip - with 2 hands, and scoop it up to the backboard! He could have played on the SS baseball team (and been a star) - but chose the Golf team - as he was a scratch golfer. In GOLF - South took second in the State in 1969, losing in a playoff to Lake Oswego HS. Craig had two rounds of 145 in the tournament (even par is 144). Very fine playing. In 1970 when we all came home from college, Craig played second base for an excellent all "South Salem grad" softball team that eventually was sponsored by the "tool Crib" - a new bar downtown (1971). He played on several teams for the next 10 years, and pitched, played short stop and 3rd base. He was a fabulous infielder. Average throwing arm , but had a tremendous "glove" and could field most anything. He was a consistant base hitter, but I did see him hit a home run one time, so he did have some "power". He also loved to play Poker and pinball (played both with him many times) - as he had excellent hand eye coordination (pinball).The last time I saw him was about 3 years ago when a bunch of us played golf at Salem Golf Club. I saw him on the practice putting green. I walked up to him from behind and said "THE BONNEY SCOOP SHOT". He turned around and grinned saying "that was my shot". His closest friends in HS called him "Hooley" - which he didn't particularly care for! Another one was "Bonateus". One of his best friends (Gary Johnson) constantly flipped him crap and probably came up with the names. One of Craigs most used phrases was "CHOD" meaning he was being cheated, and "tip" or "tipper" for having too much to drink. PS = after talking with Bob Gadach the other night - who coached, managed and played with Craig, and thinking it over carefully, I am going to go out on a limb here and declare Craig to be the best "all - around" athlete for the 3 years we were at South! He could really do it all. He loved to compete in ANYTHING and was a very "smart" athlete. "GOLF" is the determiner for me.....As Michael Jordan once proclaimed = "Tiger Woods is the best athlete in the world, as Golf is the toughest sport".
Jody Miller (Kishpaugh)
Craig's Memorial gathering was last evening. It was..... touching, fitting and a little bittersweet. It was so great to see so many from the class of 1969, '68 and '70 as well, celebrating Craig's life. The reason we gathered was to honor Craig and that was the bitter part; Craig was not present. The sweet part was the love and the friendship that permeated the entire event in memory of Craig. It was lovely to see Craig's 'best friends' from many years past as well as recent - to see his mother, sister, wife and family in general, together celebrating Craig. I agree Robbie Curtis - he was truely a 'good guy'. That was evident from the many who came from far and near to say good-bye and remember Craig. I'm just so sorry that I hadn't seen him in many years. My memory of Craig from our friendship years past is one of compassion, humor, friendship and that consistent smile - always a smile on his face. It was a lovely tribute to Craig's life at Rudy's....he will certainly be remembered and mourned by many.