Craig Figgins

Craig Figgins, 47, of Des Moines, Iowa, formerly of Atlantic, died Wednesday, August 24, 2022, of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung (a type of non-small cell lung cancer),  at the Des Moines VA Medical Center. 

Craig Matthew Figgins was born in Atlantic, Iowa, on February 27, 1975, the son of Ed and Lois (Holmes) Figgins.  He was a kid with endless energy! Wearing his mismatched Converse shoes and skateboarding any chance he could, his parents tell of times they would find him all the way on the opposite side of town.  Growing up, he was extremely close with and looked up to his big brother, Dave, as they were constantly playing baseball and football together growing up and were each other’s best friend.  Craig and David also enjoyed fishing, and deer, pheasant, and coon hunting with their dad.  Craig was a “dead-eye” with his bow and arrow and any firearm, for that matter.  While in school he was active in cross country and baseball. Throughout his life he did just enough to get by so that he could go about his hobbies and interests, but when needed, his intelligence was more than evident.   Craig graduated from Atlantic High School in the Class of 1993.  Following graduation, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corp. and was stationed in Iwakuni, Japan and Yuma, Arizona.  While in the Marines his remarkable ability to swim became known to all his friends.  They said he could swim like a fish and was tested multiple times; he was always exceeding their expectations. Craig was also a proud bomb specialist, as his custom license plates stated “USMCEOD”. 

After returning from the service, Craig settled in Des Moines, Iowa and worked as a roofer for many years.  He then met and married his very dear friend Debbie Ortiz but were later divorced.  Although they have remained great friends until his dying day.  Craig also worked in Pella, Iowa at Vermeer & Pella Windows, and then most recently worked at Katecho in Des Moines.

Despite the fact that he appeared to have a grumpy temperament, he was always polite to those around him and managed to make you smile with his dry, witty, sense of humor.  Craig was stubborn in the way he did things and the way he thought you should do things, but in the end, he was usually right; something his family had to admit sometimes.  He was a loyal son, brother and uncle; always there for anything they needed.  Craig never missed a day of calling to check in with family and he spoiled his nieces and nephew rotten.  He loved kids and was always willing to teach them a life lesson, if they wanted to spend the time.  He was extremely proud to have served his country and continued to show his dedication in many ways which included volunteering at the local VFW and Veteran hospital.  Many don’t know he allowed Veterans to park in his yard for free during the Iowa State Fair, if they happened to drive by. 

One of Craig’s hobbies was woodworking; where he made crosses, toy chest, and frames for the countless puzzles he put together.  He listened to country music and rock-n-roll of any era; Willie Nelson was a top favorite.  Tattoos were another huge part of Craig; he showed his personality through each one. His mom, Lois, said she felt every time she commented on one, a new one seemed to appear.  Another one of Craig’s hobbies was to call into local Des Moines radio stations on his way home from work and they knew him by name because he called in frequently and had the uncanny ability to win prizes.   

His love of dogs has always been strong. Growing up, the family always had a dog in the family and David thought it would be a great idea for them to get a boxer from the same litter. That was their first pets of their own; David’s was named Tommy & Craig’s was named Murdock. After Murdock, Craig had other boxers and pit bulls named Mary Jane, Thumper, Shadow and LT. They were all a huge part of his life. 

Craig is survived by his parents, Ed and Lois Figgins of Atlantic, Iowa; sister, Jill (Josh) Burns of Waukee, Iowa; nieces, Georgia and Charleigh; nephew and godson, Oliver; former spouse and dear friend, Debbie Ortiz; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his grandparents; Leonard and Gertrude Holmes and Woodrow and Beatrice Figgins; brother, David Figgins; nephew, Oscar Burns; uncles, Leonard Holmes, Jr., Larry Holmes, Lyle Holmes, Eugene Figgins, Tom Pope, and Butch Weirich; cousin, Gloria Weirich, and 2^nd cousin, Dusty Weirich. 

Open visitation will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA. 

Visitation with the family present will begin at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, September 1, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic.  The funeral service will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. at the church.  The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by noon on Friday.  Burial, with military honors by the Atlantic Color Guard, will be held in the Atlantic Cemetery, immediately following the funeral service with a luncheon back at Zion Lutheran Church.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Craig’s family and his arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.