Deeply loved husband, adored father and passionate golfer, 
Craig R. Dodel, age 68, peacefully left this life and entered the Kingdom of Heaven with his wife by his side on February 19th in Lake Stevens, WA.
Craig was born April 13, 1946 to Walter W. and Cleo (Sipes) Dodel in Moscow, Idaho. The family later moved to Seattle where Craig grew up loving sports, playing baseball, basketball, football and at the age of 10 he was introduced to what would become his lifelong passion, golf. Craig had a truly brilliant mind, graduated from Roosevelt High School and even though he was accepted at Princeton, Craig chose to go to Claremont McKenna Men's College in California because he loved the sunshine, beach and they would let him play football! Craig's football coach referred to him as a "mad dog" one day and the name stuck. Craig played on both the golf team and the football team through his four years at Claremont as Mad Dog Dodel; he was captain of the football team and featured in the local newspaper so many times that the L.A. Rams called him in for an interview.
While attending Claremont, Craig met, fell in love with and married Christy Hicks, whom he absolutely adored. When Craig graduated from Claremont they moved back to Seattle where Craig attended U.W. Law School. After graduation they moved back to Southern California for 3 years in Manhattan Beach where Craig organized the "4th Street Olympics" and made lifetime friendships. They returned again to the Seattle area to stay and settled in Lake Forest Park where they lived for 29 years raising 3 wonderful sons, Chip, Andy and Kyle. As a successful attorney, Craig won a big case and they joined the Sandpoint Country Club where his family had been members throughout Craig's childhood - Craig loved Sandpoint Country Club. He lived to golf!
Craig was an athlete through and through. He rode the STP, he ran marathons including the NY and Boston marathons and competed in triathlons. He rose early every morning to get in a good work out and pretty much watched nothing but sports on TV. After many years of private practice and in other law firms, Craig joined Genie Industries in 1999 as their General Counsel. After 36 years of marriage, sadly, Christy died in 2004. In late 2005 Craig met and married Claudia who became Craig's passionate protector, stubborn advocate and principal caregiver throughout his fight with Lewy Body Dementia. They knew God meant for them to be together from the start and throughout this heartbreaking journey. He would send Christy and Claudia flowers all of the time, just because he was thinking about them, for any reason. He knew how to appreciate and treat his wives. He was the most phenomenal husband a woman could ever have. An amazing man, we were all so blessed.
Craig loved to travel. He took his family on trips of a lifetime all over the world. Maui and Palm Springs were favorite and often destinations where he loved to golf and snorkel. Profound mahalo's--thank you's go out to the Gilmur & Lesser families for your generosity enabling Craig to enjoy your lovely homes at these venues and fulfill his passions. Words cannot express our appreciation. So many precious memories and days of absolute joy were made because of your immense kindness.
Craig, like his father before him, was always happy and content in most any situation and loved to whistle all of the time. His terrific sense of humor, loving & kind spirit and strong character will be extraordinarily missed by all of us. He was a lot of fun! And his positive attitude, his warm, loving smile will continue to shine brightly in our hearts and memories.
His wife Claudia, his mother Cleo, his son's Chip, Kyle, Andy, stepson Keegan, sister Susan, nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews will all miss him immensely.
Craig was immediately in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus, Son of God, and met in Heaven by his first wife Christy and father Walter.
Remembrances made to Craig's favorite charity, The Children's Home Society of Washington are greatly appreciated.
My deepest condolences to the family. I grew up with Kyle and Craig and Christy were great people and always welcoming. I still remember a time when I was in HS and was over at their house in LFP and we sparked up a discussion about property law specifically around view rights. It was one of the first times I recall being interested in the law and ultimately helped influence me going to law school.
RIP "Mad Dog"
Mad Dog Dodel? Did not know that, but his RHS friends will remember his absolute single-mindedness when he got the ball
and would simply run over anyone in his way. Good friend.
Craig has left thre world and his many friends better.
RIP
I grew up with Craig and his sister Susie.
We had alot of fun playing basketball, little ball (baseball game 1 on 1 in our front yard) boxing, touch football at view ridge playfield and golf together.
I drove through Sandpoint naval air station yesterday and I thought of Craig and his dad Walt where we played golf and went to the px.
Rest in peace and thanks for the good childhood memories.
Dave "Elgin" Normile
Fun memories on the old block 65th and 45th.
Remember cannon- balls in familys' backyard and watching the boys high jump on the parking strip. Lots of "Happy Days" fun.
Craig was a fine guy--best to all the family--Sherry and the Normile Family
Fun memories on the old block 65th and 45th.
Remember can balls in familys' backyard and watching the boys high jump on the parking strip. Lots of "Happy Days" fun.
Craig was a fine guy--best to all the family--Sherry and the Normile Family
Claudia and family
Even tho I only knew Craig for a few years, I enjoyed every conversation with him. So glad he got to come back to INGLEWOOD for a few years.
My heart goes out to you,
Karen Peterson
Former Club manager
Craig filled my spirit with his.
We have overflowing gratitude for Craigs caregivers. Erin Kelly is one who took crazy great care and respected Craig up to his last breath. Erin sat with us and held Craigs right hand while I held his left hand and together we walked Craig home to Heaven. -
Craig's other caregiver, Baboucarr Njie, held Craig in high esteem and called Craig his American dad. "Bobby" lost his dad at a young age and his dad was Craig's age. Bobby treated Craig with the utmost respect and care. Bobby's years as a dementia care CNA served Craig well. Bobby is an avid sports fan as Craig and would hours and hours of sports with Craig every day. We all donned temporary Seahawks tattoo's for every Seahawks game.
Craig's other caregiver, Baboucarr Njie, held Craig in high esteem and called Craig his American dad. "Bobby" lost his dad at a young age and his dad was Craig's age. Bobby treated Craig with the utmost respect and care. Bobby's years as a dementia care CNA served Craig well. Bobby is an avid sports fan as Craig and would hours and hours of sports with Craig every day. We all donned temporary Seahawks tattoo's for every Seahawks game.
We have overflowing gratitude for Craig's caregivers. Erin Kelly is one who took crazy great care and respected Craig up to his last breath. Erin sat with us and held Craig's right hand while I held his left hand and together we walked Craig home to Heaven.
Craig and college roommate Doug Kneeland
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