Elford "Gene" E. Cragg Jr. of Charlottesville, Virginia, died peacefully at his home on Monday, November 10, 2008, at the age of 69.

He was born June 15, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Elford "Buster" Eugene Cragg Sr. and Mary Leota Cragg of Osawatomie, Kansas.

Gene devoted his career to serving his country in various capacities around the world including the United States Navy from 1956 until 1966, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon and the Department of Defense. Gene retired from the Foreign Science and Technology Center in Charlottesville in 1994.

He is survived by his four children, Beverly Cragg Rainey of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Michael Cragg of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Richard Cragg of Chantilly, Virginia, Christina Cragg of Richmond, Virginia; four siblings, Carol Weaver of Topeka, Kansas, Mary Reiter of Overland Park, Kansas, John Cragg of Parker, Kansas, and Philip Cragg of Bucyrus, Kansas. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Victoria, John Michael and Katherine Anne Cragg, Alexandra Rainey, Andrew, Connor and Daniel Cragg, and many nieces and nephews. Gene also leaves behind his beloved friends, Ralph Wilson and Debbie Carver.

A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, November 15, 2008, at Monticello Memory Gardens, 670 Thomas Jefferson Parkway in Charlottesville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Gene may be made to the American Lung Association, 9221 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, VA 23235 or a charity of your choice.