Noel Francis Craft died suddenly Feb. 15, 2008, at his home in Oak Harbor at the age of 66. He was born in south San Francisco on July 6, 1941, to Oscar and Florence (Driscoll) Craft. Noel was raised in Paradise, Calif. Following high school, Noel took a motorcycle trip across the country, working odd jobs along the way.

Noel returned to California and was married to Judith E. Butler in Oakland on Sept. 18, 1964. In 1966, he began a 27-year career with Shell Oil Company in Martinez, Calif. Noel began as an operator and worked through the ranks. Halfway through his time with Shell, he moved into a position as Health and Safety Inspector for the company and maintained that role until his retirement in 1993.

Following retirement, he served for a time as an auditor and instructor for BATC, training and testing candidates for refinery work. While visiting with refinery workers, he began to search for a retirement community. After listening to years of comments about Puget Sound and Whidbey Island, Noel and Judy decided to make Oak Harbor their home.

Noel was a loving husband and father. He was very skilled with computers. He also was a dog lover. Noel and Judy served as volunteers for WAIF for a time. Noel became a very active volunteer with Help House and then began serving as a member of the board of directors.

Noel is survived by his wife Judy at the family home and by two children: Stephen Craft of Pacheco, Calif., and Kelli Craft and husband Peter Forster of San Francisco. Noel is also survived by two grandchildren, Steffan and Mairwyn Forster, a sister Pamela Lyons of Paradise, Calif., as well as nephews Dominic and Paul and niece Angie in California.

Noel requested no formal funeral services be conducted. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Help House or WAIF. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.