Craig Louis Vejraska; 1947-2024

Craig L. Vejraska passed away unexpectedly Oct. 23 while doing one of his favorite chores of watering his black Angus cows. Craig was born in a blizzard by flashlight in Pawnee City, NE, Dec. 4, 1947.

He spent his early years between Nebraska and Texas then to Omak, WA, where he attended Saint Mary’s Mission Catholic School and the Omak public school, graduating from Omak High in 1966. He graduated from Eastern Washington University (EWU) in 1970 with a degree in government and was a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. While attending EWU, he was initiated into the 1967 class of Pi Kappa Alpha as the 54th member of the ZetaNu Chapter in Cheney, WA.

Craig grew up farming and ranching in Okanogan County, starting with Angus cattle in 1960, having purchased an Angus heifer for his 4-H project. He liked to say the ranch was his “runaway 4-H project.” He was an entrepreneur even in college, selling life insurance while attending EWU. His first official job after college was as a salesman for International Harvester and he continued selling insurance.

The move to the Royal Slope in 1971 was made after a long talk while selling an International Harvester tractor to Mike Brown. Craig and his family spent years farming the ground on the slope and ranching. Craig married Mary K in 1986, and they moved to Omak in the fall of 1988. Craig continued with the insurance business, purchasing North Valley Insurance in 1987. In the fall of 1989, Craig became an owner in the Okanogan Livestock Market and continued to be very involved in the cattle industry.

Craig enjoyed serving on many boards of various cattle associations and other boards over the years. He was most proud of being a member of the Washington State Beef Commission representing the cow-calf industry, a past Okanogan County commissioner and a graduate of the Washington Ag Forestry Leadership Program.

Left to cherish his memory are his lovely wife Mary K; sons, Jason (Jennifer), Todd (Katlenia), Scott and Ryan (Carlan); grandchildren, Cameron, Jaxson, Kelsey, Caleb, Kacie, Arlee, Kady, Vance, Henry and Jase; and great-grandchildren, Ideya and Dali.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Market Stock Fund with “Craig Vejraska” on the memo line to P.O. Box 1774, Okanogan, WA 98840.