Craig Andrew Rader

Oct. 3, 1963 – Aug. 12, 2023

Sacramento, Calif. — Craig Andrew Rader, a long-term resident of Sacramento, lost his brief courageous fight with pancreatic cancer Aug. 12, 2023, surrounded by his daughter, Katelyn, and loving wife of over 33 years, Angela. High school sweethearts, and together for over 42 years, their devotion and undying love for each other were beyond belief. They were each other's best friends; no matter what might have challenged them, their friendship and true love were like no other. Together, they loved traveling — whether to work conferences, board meetings, weekend trips to Reno, or a special 25-year anniversary trip to France and Italy — and spending time with family and friends.

Craig was the most incredible father to Katelyn (Matthew Kjar) and new grandfather, "Hoppa," to 11-month-old Elijah Wayne, but was taken from all of us too soon. He is preceded in death by his father, Wayne, along with his paternal grandmother, Earleen, and maternal grandparents Mary and Malcolm Silva.

Craig loved his position as a purchasing agent with the county of Sacramento and recently had to make the difficult decision to retire after nearly 30 years due to his health. Extremely well-respected among his staff, colleagues and industry, Craig served as president of the California Association of Public Procurement Officers (CAPPO), not just once, but elected this year for the second time, although he recently stepped down due to his diminishing health. He was also proud of his association with and work with the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). Throughout each, it was the relationships and people he met and loved that inspired him, and who will remember him as being kind, funny, caring, unpretentious and a true mentor to many.

In addition to being the premier connoisseur of craft beer – specifically IPAs before they became popular — he had a love for vintage Chevy Camaros, having owned one when meeting Angela while 'cruising' the El Camino Real in Sunnyvale during their senior year of high school. Years later, in 2019, Craig purchased a similar fully restored '73 Chevy Camaro from a buyer in Idaho, driving it home from Idaho with Katelyn. Days before his passing, his Camaro Generations car club honored him with a beautiful parade-style drive by our home, with Katelyn taking the lead car in Craig's Camaro. Our family will forever be grateful to his car club members for the bright smile, thumbs up and sip of a favorite IPA he was able to do on that day.

Shocked, devastated and heartbroken doesn't come close to how his family, friends and colleagues are feeling about his loss. In addition to his wife, daughter, and grandson, Craig is survived by his mother, Sharron Silva-Taylor, sister Christine Over (Bob), stepsister Christine Wheeler, nephew Christopher, stepmother Karen Ryan and many family, friends and colleagues.

A memorial mass will be said at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Oct. 3, 2023, in the side chapel at noon by Father Cook.

In lieu of flowers, you can donate to research for a cure for pancreatic cancer.