I find it difficult to articulate how much John meant to me. Like so many, John started out as my insurance agent and ended up as my friend. My very special friend.

He earned my respect by being a trusted advisor (far beyond insurance issues) and earned my love by being such a wonderful person.

I have many precious memories of our phone calls. We would discuss everything from politics to recipes (so many recipes) but we always ended up laughing, regardless of the topic.

I particularly treasure my memory of our last video call, when John showed me around his house and pointed out all the things that Raynette had done. He was so proud of her!

I will miss you in my life John, although I take comfort in knowing God has reunited you with your beloved Raynette.

John's phone call greeting was always Peggy Peggy Peggy. I loved his jokes, intellect, his thoughtfulness. When I was going through cancer treatment he was so supportive.  My condolences to his family and friends. He is at peace and reunited with his love. After 40 years of friendship, I will miss you John. 

Peggy

John will be missed!!! Great agent but, better friend.   

I was so sorry to hear about John's passing. He was such a kind man who cared about his Farmers family and especially his customers.  He always made sure I had a new calendar from him every year even though he wasn't my agent. He can now be with his beloved wife. RIP, John.

"Boardering on perfection" is one of my all time favorites and I love busting it out from time to time. It always elicits a response and give John credit every time! John was funny and at the same time a straight shooter. Yes, that's a play on words, his gun collection sure did grow over the years! 

"As Shane McDonough said, John was one of the good one's. He'll be missed. Thanks for the notice Michael Bowen." - Joe Gilles

"Sad to hear of Johns passing.😓 I really liked John and enjoyed working at his agency for 20 years! He was such a great person and friend. John was extremely loyal to the Farmers brand and all his customers. I thought it was sweet how much he loved his wife so much and spoiled her rotten!! 💕

I will miss our February birthday chats about life and getting older. RIP Mr. Bledsoe.

Condolences to his family and friends." - Penny Dixon

"He will be missed!!!" - Mike Done

"I still tell people I’m “Bordering on perfection” when they ask how things are!

John was one of the good ones and will be missed." - Shane McDonough

"Thanks for letting us know. John was a big help mentoring me when I was a young agent,

Rest In Peace John

God Bless You…❤️" - Don Helmick

"So sorry the learn of John's passing. My condolences to his family and friends." - Eileen Matos Morgan

Rest in peace, John Craig. You are missed. Thanks for your friendship and jokes over the decades and for taking such great care of my insurance needs. 

My condolences to John's family. I first met John when he was a beginning Farmers Insurance Agent and I was a vendor for a local glass company specializing in auto glass replacement. I met and knew many agents over the years but John became one of my very best friends, helping to guide me thru raising three teenagers as a single mom with his infinite wisdom and common sense. He was my mentor in life and in my profession. I miss his texts with a new recipe he'd just tried, or a newspaper or magazine article that  was "so very" important that I must read immediately. He put everyone else first right up to the end, worrying about the people he loved. His clients were loyal like you usually do not find in his business, they stuck with him no matter how many claims or rate changes or even if moving out of area. He still insured the couple in Troutdale that were his very first clients, 47 years later they still were when he retired.

John... I know you are with your beloved Raynette who made your life complete, and that comforts all of us who knew and loved you all these years. RIP my friend.

In the 50 years or so that I was friends with John, he impressed me with how upbeat and positive he always was.  I would complain about something and he would quickly turn that around to something positive. He and I had worked at Fred Meyer and then when John left to become a Farmers Agent, I was one of his early clients, and I don't know if he saved me any money or not,  but he was so sold on Farmers and so happy with Farmers, how could I possible say no. About 10 years later, I was complaining to John about my job at the time, and he suggested I become a Farmers Agent. He set me up with an interview with the District Manager for the very next day, and I spent the next 30 years as an agent with Farmers and was lucky enough to chat with John on a regular basis during that entire time. John worked as a Farmers agent for nearly 50 years, but it wasn't really work for him, he loved his clients, he loved his career and he even loved Farmers Insurance. John retired earlier this year and I was able to spend a fair amount of time with him since then, he struggled with multiple health issues but he never lost that positive attitude, he told me on multiple occasions how he was going to get better and kept up the good fight, right to his last day.  In memory of John, try not to complain, always look for the best in the people around you and never give up. John was one positive great guy and he will be missed.

John always reminded me of something that has stuck with me to this day: you’re a Husband, Father, Businessman, and Citizen, in that order. Those words have guided me through the years and helped me keep perspective on what true success really means. It’s wisdom I still share with others, and it always traces back to John.

He had a way with sayings, like “finer than frog’s fur” and “AB+ (always be positive),” which were two of my favorites. He’d tell me that greeting people with positivity was powerful because when you’re having a great day, others naturally want to know how they can too.

John would also remind me, “There are 168 hours in a week, so use them wisely.” Simple advice, but the kind that stays with you.

He may not have always realized it, but John was one of the most influential mentors in my life. His generosity, perspective, and leadership left an incredible mark on me, both personally and professionally.

Thank you, John, for everything you gave, and for the friendship that meant so much over the years. I'll be sure to hand a couple of business cards to a friend ;)