[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JAMES BERRY CRADDOCK

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                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2020

  Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and legacy 
of Mr. James Berry Craddock of Colorado Springs, Colorado. James Berry 
Craddock sadly passed away on November 5, 2020. I extend my deepest 
condolences to his loving wife, Linda, their sons, Matthew Ryan 
(Jenny), Michael Lewis (Michelle), and James Berry (Amy); 10 
grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Roy Rall and Joseph 
Rall; and sister, Mary Lou Kaiser and to all of those who were 
privileged to call him a friend. Berry's life, family, and spirit are a 
testament to the American dream, fortitude, drive, work ethic, humor, 
and full enjoyment of all this life offered.
  James Berry Craddock was born on January 12, 1935 in Pueblo, 
Colorado. When Berry was five years old, he skinned his knee playing 
outside and developed Osteomyelitis, but was saved by a new drug at the 
time, penicillin. Despite having to learn to walk again, Mr. Craddock 
never let his disability define or hinder him in any way. He was known 
as a risk-taker and an accomplished skier, racing the slalom and the 
downhill. Berry even received his first appearance in the local paper 
for rafting down the Royal Gorge on a one-man raft.
  Berry graduated from Canon City High School and attended the 
University of Colorado, graduating in Civil Engineering and Business 
Management. After college, he worked designing warehouses at Welbourne 
Construction Company. It was at Welbourne Construction where Berry 
pioneered twin tee construction and designed what would become known 
throughout Colorado and New Mexico as ``The Craddock Building''.
  On June 24, 1967, Berry married his wife, Linda, of 52 years. Soon 
after their marriage, Berry and Linda moved to Colorado Springs where 
they raised their sons, Matthew, James, and Michael. Mr. Craddock was 
known as a family man and he frequently stated that his biggest legacy 
was his three sons. He was fiercely proud of them and their 
accomplishments, their families, and their character.
  It was also in Colorado Springs where Berry brought his vision to 
life and started Craddock Development Company. With only $5,000 to his 
name and help from his business partners, Berry built a real estate 
empire that lasts to this day. Berry was a fierce advocate of the Pikes 
Peak Region and constructed over 300 buildings in his career, from 
hotels, to restaurants, warehouses, offices, and self-storage 
facilities.
  In his free time, Berry loved the outdoors, golf, fishing, and 
entertaining friends and family at Lake Uneva. Berry cherished his 
hunts with his band of brothers at the Sanborn Ranch Duck Club and his 
annual pheasant hunt in South Dakota. Berry was an active member of the 
Broadmoor Golf Club, the El Paso Club, the Garden of the Gods Club, and 
the Vail Valley Foundation. It was in Vail where he developed lasting 
friendships with former President Gerald Ford, Senator Jack Kemp, and 
Clint Eastwood.
  Today, on behalf of Colorado's 5th Congressional District, we 
celebrate Mr. Craddock's impactful life and legacy, he was truly one of 
a kind. May it be of comfort to his family and friends that we all pray 
for them during this sad time. May Mr. James Berry Craddock rest in 
peace.

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