Craig Martin Gohlke, 70, died August 12, 2023, in Daytona Beach, Florida, following a four-year battle with a tumor and liver disease.

Craig is survived in death by his wife of 41 years, Beth; sons, Brian (Darla), Dan (Michelle) and Christopher (Ebrah); brothers, Gary (Sharon) and Marty; grandchildren, Samantha (Brad), Mckenzi (Nick), Nathan (Mira), Earick, Madilyn, Jaxson and Gigi; great-grandchildren, Parker, Theo and Myles; and many extended family members and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin and Norma.

Craig was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, where he graduated from Springfield High School and attended the University of Akron. He often recalled fond memories of marching band and choir from his younger years and was thrilled to reconnect with old school friends when he was finally convinced to open a Facebook account a few years ago. He spent his entire career at Akron Porcelain & Plastics Co, having started in the shipping department as a teenager and retiring more than four decades later as a sales manager in 2015. He developed lifelong friendships with many of his colleagues. After his retirement, he and Beth moved to Florida, where they had vacationed for many years.

A reluctant traveler, Craig nevertheless went with Beth on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise around the Mediterranean after his retirement and just before getting sick. He was especially amazed by Rome, in particular Vatican City, and would often recount anecdotes from the trip to take his mind off of the many procedures and hospital stays he endured in his final years.

Craig was a role model to many and especially known for his generosity. In 2002, he proudly became a living organ donor when he donated a kidney to his brother-in-law, Terry Swain, which granted Terry several more years of life to spend with his family. Craig later became an advocate for organ donation and a volunteer with Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO). He was also very interested in family history, researching his family tree and reminiscing with his cousins over stories from childhood.

He loved the outdoors and had many hobbies over the years, including fishing, metal detecting, golfing, coin collecting, going to auctions and yard sales, and hunting in Ohio with his friends from the lodge. But what he loved most was his family, especially the kids. He had a special bond with each and every one. His legacy of kindness, empathy, benevolence, integrity and selflessness will live on through the generations of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in whom he instilled a commitment to virtue and unconditional love. Craig will be remembered by many as a shining example of what it means to be a devoted husband, patriarch, colleague, friend and simply a good human being.

A private gathering for close family members will be held in Florida. Those wishing to celebrate his life are encouraged to make a contribution in Craig's honor to Donate Life America, and to register as organ donors.