Craig Michael Kozeliski's Obituary
Craig Michael Kozeliski, age 56, of Okatie, SC, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, GA.
Craig was born April 19, 1966 in Hawaii, the son of Thomas Francis and Elaine Grace Kozeliski, Jr. Craig overcame more struggles and obstacles in his life than most, starting with his battle of leukemia at the young age of 6. With the help of the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, he won that battle shortly before he graduated from Brimfield High School in 1984. While attending Western Illinois University, he suffered the loss of his spleen after a severe car accident. After graduation, he cultivated his love of travel and crossed nearly every state as a truck driver. Ignoring his doctors objections, he insisted on donating a kidney to his mother in 2006. In 2009, he suffered a stroke that left him unable to walk or talk during his last 13 years.
Craig was a prankster throughout his life and loved to make others laugh. He had a quirky smile that would make you chuckle and leave you wondering what sneaky jokes he was planning for his next victim. His caring eyes spoke, particularly after the stroke stole his voice. He loved animals, motorcycles, traveling, hunting, fishing, and chocolate milk.
Craig will be remembered as a son, brother, father, uncle, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity brother, friend, prankster, fighter and donor. It is a rare gift that Craig was able to give life through organ donation once in his lifetime. It is extraordinary that now, in his death, Craig continues to give as an organ, eye and tissue donor.
Craig was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Thomas Francis and Mary Margaret Kozeliski, Sr; his maternal grandparents, Elroy Daniel and June Edith Borg; his aunt, Patricia Ann Kozeliski; and his uncle, Daniel Hull Borg.
Left to honor Craigs memory are his parents, Thomas and Elaine Kozeliski of Okatie, SC; his children, Grace and Joseph Kozeliski, of Whittier, CA; his sisters, Kim (Thomas) Wickert of Greenville, SC and Kristen (Jeffrey) Katula of Winston-Salem, NC; his nieces and nephews, Hannah Cave, Samuel Wickert, Khloe Laine, Caden and Kyle Katula; and many extended family and friends.
Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 26th at St. Andrews Chapel, 220 Pinckney Colony Rd, Bluffton, SC. Burial will be held at a later date at Oakland Cemetery in Centerville, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Craig Kozeliski Memorial Fund at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital and can be mailed to Lange Funeral Home and Crematory, ATTN: Kozeliski family, 1900 South 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544 or online at: http://giftfunds.stjude.org/CraigKoz. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.
Services will be held at a later date
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