Craig Beach

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Craig Beach. Craig suffered a stroke that took his life far too soon. Surrounded by his wife, his children, and his grandchildren, Craig passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026.

Craig and Jennifer Beach shared forty wonderful years of marriage. Together they raised two children and cherished three granddaughters. Their son, Nathan Beach, is married to Elizabeth Beach, and they are the proud parents of Emma (6) and Quinn (4). Their daughter, Kaitlyn Beach, is the loving mother of Reagan (8).

Craig was born in Spokane, Washington. As the son of a military father, he spent parts of his early childhood living in Germany and Vancouver, Washington, before ultimately being raised on the South Hill in Spokane. He attended Ferris High School, where he ran cross country and track, bringing home a State Title. It was there that he met Jennifer, the love of his life, and the two would spend the rest of his life together.

From a very young age, Craig showed a natural talent for working with his hands. At just three years old, he began building items out of wood-a passion that would remain with him throughout his life. He grew up hunting and fishing, developing a deep love for the outdoors that never faded. In his final weeks, Craig spent his time duck and elk hunting and clamming. Fishing surely would have been on that list as well, had it been the right time of year.

After graduating high school, Craig worked at his family-owned foundry, where he developed the strong work ethic that defined him throughout his life. In the summer of 1999, Craig moved his family to southern Monterey County, California, where he began working at Rock Springs Ranch as an assistant manager and head of bird dog training. On his very first guided hunt there, Craig met Tim Haley, who promised him a position on his own ranch once the right land was found. Three years later, that promise was kept.

For the next 25 years, Craig operated and managed Hidden Valley Ranch, a private hunting ranch. There, Craig truly lived his dream-working every day in the great outdoors. While the job required long days of hard physical labor, those efforts were more than rewarded by the joy he found guiding hog and deer hunts and sharing his passion for the land. Craig was just one year away from retirement, with plans to move back to Spokane, Washington, to be closer to family, spend his days fishing along the Oregon Coast, and running his bird dogs.

Craig strongly believed that the future of the outdoors depended on the younger generation. He dedicated much of his free time to teaching hunter safety, helping with local youth hunts, and taking children fishing. In recent years, he also spent his summers taking Veterans out fishing-an experience that meant deeply to him.

Craig always had three or four fishing trips planned at any given time. Over the past ten years, he spent countless days fishing alongside his wife, parents, and sister up and down the Oregon Coast. To Craig, a good day was any day not spent at home-he would much rather be on his boat or enjoying time with his grandchildren.

Craig is survived by his parents, Gary and Joyce Beach; his wife, Jennifer Beach; his children, Nathan and Kaitlyn Beach; his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Beach; his siblings, Tab Beach, Shannon Blankinship, and Jillene Beach; and his beloved grandchildren, Reagan, Emma, and Quinn Beach.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Francis and Lois Beach and Ray and Eileen Williams; his mother-in-law, Jeanne Ash; and his sister-in-law, Tanja Beach.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Pine Valley Ranch, San Ardo, CA 93450. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Craig's memory are invited to make a donation to the Siletz Anglers Association (siletzanglersassociation.org).

Published in King City Rustler and Salinas Valley Tribune · January 19, 2026