Craig Richard Hastings (1949-2016)

HASTINGS, PETERSON, HAYEK

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 1/30/2016 at 16:40:29

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

On January 23, 2016 just before his 67th birthday, Craig Hastings went to be with his Lord and Savior after a 19-month battle with brain cancer. His family rejoices that he is well again and singing praises to God with his beautiful baritone voice.

Craig Richard Hastings was born on January 24, 1949 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Del and Ellen Hastings. While growing up, he had the privilege of living around the country and overseas, which expanded his love of people from many cultures. In 1971, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in economics and married his sweetheart, Laura Lee Peterson, whom he met at church. They married on March 20, 1971 thinking that due to the draft, Craig would soon head to Vietnam. God had other plans and Craig enrolled in the University of Michigan Law School and Graduate School of Economics. Upon graduation in 1974 with a Law degree, Craig decided to accept an offer from George Clark, Jr. to join him in his small private practice in Ames, Iowa. The first impression of Ames was one of “entering the old west” since George’s practice was above the Carr Hardware store on Main Street with angled drive up parking spaces. Craig and Laura grew to love Ames and enjoyed serving the community and God for the next 42 years.

Craig loved to challenge people to think, ask questions and apply Romans 12:1-2 to their lives, which states: “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” He used these verses as his foundation as the college Sunday School teacher for over 35 years at Campus (now CrossRoad) Baptist Church. Students will remember Craig’s favorite sayings: “College students can change the world” and “words are important.”

Craig faithfully studied God’s Word and any book that would broaden his mind. He was working toward his PhD in History at ISU (just for fun), but was prevented from finishing due to his illness. One of his goals was to write a book about the history of Christian education and homeschooling in the state of Iowa given his involvement in helping legalize homeschooling and Christian schooling in the 1980-90’s. He represented numerous families throughout the state in this struggle.

Craig loved his children and took great pride in all of them faithfully serving God! He loved his six grandchildren and treasured time playing and reading to them. He left a legacy as a man who loved his wife, children and grandchildren and who wanted to influence others in their love for the Lord and serving others. He will be missed by the legal profession and business community in Story County and the state of Iowa. He also served well on the Faith Baptist Bible College and Seminary Advisory Board and the Ames Historical Society Board.

Craig leaves behind his devoted wife of almost 45 years, Laura; and his precious family: daughter, Leah of Lynnwood, Wash., son, Caleb (Anna) of Wichita, Kan., and daughter, Sarah (Stan) Hayek of Cedar Falls; as well as six grandchildren: Mabry, Ty and Kara Hastings and Danica, Hannah and Talitha Hayek. He is also survived by his mother, Ellen; sister, Nancy; brother, Andrew; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Del Hastings.

Memorial may be directed to CrossRoad Baptist Church in Ames or The ABTA - America Brain Tumor Association, www.abta.org/donate

Memorial Service
JAN 31. 03:30 PM
CrossRoad Baptist Church
57011 US Highway 30
Ames, IA, US, 50010

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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