Craig Alan Wacknov, 58, passed away in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, after a courageous, hard-fought battle with cancer. A lifelong adventure seeker and traveler, Craig never forgot his Kansas City roots — particularly his love for the Chiefs and Royals.
An alumnus of Shawnee Mission East High School, Craig’s travels began during his college years at University of New Mexico. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}After graduation, Craig returned to Kansas City to work side-by-side with his father and brother at American Textile Mills, Inc. Craig was also a member of Freemasons at the Arthur H. Strickland Lodge #452 for 21 years.
Craig’s restless spirit eventually led him to Nogales, Ariz., where he combined work and pleasure as a fine art dealer for several years before resettling in Aspen, Colo. An expert skier, Craig’s passion and entrepreneurial drive led him to become a member of the ski patrol and start a well-regarded guide company for back bowl skiing.
During the “off season” in Aspen, Craig enjoyed hiking, cycling and fly fishing with his treasured canine companion, Keiba. He also enjoyed old friends and new, refusing to remain strangers with anyone who crossed his path. For the past 15 years, Craig lived in Scottsdale among his Arizona family and friends and worked in the travel industry. Craig will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, kind heart, love of entertaining, generous soul and contagious zest for life.
Craig is survived by his loving parents, Paul Wacknov, Leawood, Kan., and Bonnie Wacknov, Scottsdale; siblings, Dennis and Larue Wacknov, Lenexa, Kan., Lisa and Peter Bellis, Cave Creek, Ariz., Susan and Greg Jones, Scottsdale, Jackie and David Berry, Lenexa, and Ben and Rachel Warner, Leawood; nieces and nephews, Stacey Wacknov and Steven Gross, Jason Wacknov and Marci Curliss, Brandon Jones, Stefani Jones, Corey Wacknov, Jay Waldron, Aaron Berry, Andrew Berry, Mason Warner and Lucy Warner; and great-nephews, Jay Hansen, Zachary Hansen and Jonah Gross.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Jan. 4, at The Louis Memorial Chapel; burial followed at Mount Carmel Cemetery. The family requests donations to the ICAN International Cancer Advocacy Network, www.askican.org; First Call, www.firstcallkc.org; or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
Arrangements: Louis Memorial Chapel 816-361-5211.{/mprestriction}