Craig wore the uniform of a Boy Scout and athlete growing up in Mesquite. “Really, really proud of Clay. He was always a good kid,” said Clay’s grandmother.

When he graduated from John Horn High School 5 years ago, he chose the uniform of a soldier.

His wife Cynthia says he wasn't rich, by any means- but he looked like a million bucks in that uniform.

She wrote him in a poem before he left for Iraq, and spoke them at his funeral the day she said goodbye again.

Staff Sergeant Clay Craig died April 29, hit in combat by small arms fire in Baghdad. His family knew what to do. “If something happened to him, he wanted a military funeral,” said Clay’s grandmother.

They say he didn't want to go back for the third tour. His heart was with his wife and 14-month-old Izabell. Still- those who served with him in Iraq say his outlandish stories and laughter sustained them there.

Today, they called him best friend. A leader, a hero, father, and son.

“He was a good soldier and a good person. Very proud. Very proud,” said Clay’s grandfather.

Cynthia wrote in that poem that her husband never gave up and never turned his back on his country. His family believes Clay Craig's war is over- and he's getting his reward in the Kingdom of Heaven.

E-mail mjepson@wfaa.com