Craig Rowland Jacob

Craig Rowland Jacob passed away on the 24th day of July, 2026 at the age of 81. Craig was born at the Brooklyn Naval Yard Hospital to Howard and Irene Jacob on the 24th day of January 1945. He grew up in Wichita, Kansas and graduated from South East Highschool and where he participated in theatre, band, and sports.

In his youth Craig spent a summer of caravanning for the Walther League, a youth organization for the Lutheran Church. He traveled with a small group of other youth across the United States to numerous congregations to lead and revitalize their church’s youth programs.

Craig graduated from Kansas State Teacher’s College (Emporia State University) in 1968 where his focus was on elementary and learning disabilities education. Craig and Gloria both attended the Kansas State Teacher’s College and it was here that they met. Gloria was working at the information and candy stand when Craig saw her, and as he described it, it was love at first sight. On June 5th 1966, Craig and Gloria (Blevins) wed at the Eudora Methodist church.

After graduation, Craig worked as a learning disabilities and classroom teacher, where he was one of the first learning disabilities teachers in the State of Kansas. He went on to earn his Master’s degree at The University of Kansas.  After working as a teacher for many years, he began work at Quaker Oats in Lawrence. There he was involved in training and received multiple awards for his hard work in building a high performing team.  In his retirement Craig had a number of unofficial jobs working with his son, Jeff. He enjoyed working at Innovative Security and Bulldog Tow where he assisted Jeff with whatever was needed. He also volunteered at the Salvation Army helping to distribute food.

Craig and Gloria were charter members of the Lawrence Habitat for Humanity, where he served as secretary and president on the board. He worked hard and spent many days working on jobsites to build houses to benefit the community. In his retirement, he went back to volunteering with Habitat, this time in their retail facility, sorting donations and pricing items for sale.

Craig leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Gloria Jacob, his daughter Cari and her husband Vern Andrews of Holton, KS, his favorite granddaughter, Kay Andrews and her fiancé Christian Baldonado of Topeka, KS, and favorite grandson, Jacob Andrews and partner Baylee Wolf, of Camas, Washington. Craig also leaves behind his three brothers and their families, Rod and Jane Jacob, Tim and Helen Jacob, Jan and Vicki Jacob, as well as a brother-in-law, who was more like a brother, Gordon Blevins.

Craig was preceded in death by his son, Jeff Jacob, brother-in-law, George Blevins, and parents.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. for a service of remembrance at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, followed by visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to KU Endowment – please note Cancer Research Gift Fund (01759) on memo line, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044.

Craig’s legacy of love, service, and laughter will live on in the hearts and lives of all who knew and loved him.