Aiden Craig’s signature response when someone needed help was simple: “I gotchu.”
WYLIE, Texas — North Texas will gather Friday evening to remember 18-year-old Private Aiden Gregory Craig, a Wylie High School graduate who died following a medical emergency during Marine Corps recruit training in California.
Craig died Aug. 5, four days after experiencing the medical emergency on at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, according to military officials. He was in the final weeks of recruit training with 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Alpha Company, Platoon 1003, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
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Craig’s family has shared photos of their son as they mourn his loss and work to honor his memory.
“Our family is devastated by the loss of Private Aiden Gregory Craig,” the family said in a statement. “Right now, we are focused on honoring Aiden and supporting one another.”
The family thanked the community for the outpouring of love, prayers and support but said they are unable to share additional information at this time.
Craig’s obituary describes him as humble, funny, generous and dependable, someone who routinely put the needs of others before his own. His signature response when someone needed help was simple: “I gotchu.”
That willingness to show up for others was a defining part of Craig’s life.
A 2026 graduate of Wylie High School, Craig was a two-year varsity letterman in football and track and field. Football was his passion, and during his senior season he wore No. 7 for the Wylie Pirates, playing defensive end.
Craig’s obituary describes, although Craig was unable to complete the final days of recruit training with his platoon, his commitment and accomplishments were honored at his bedside. His family said his Eagle, Globe and Anchor was presented to him, with his father, Brent, placing the emblem in his hand as First Sergeant Sean Durkee stood beside him.
A candlelight vigil for Craig’s family, friends, teammates, classmates and community will be held at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Wylie ISD Stadium, 2550 West FM 544 in Wylie. The vigil will be held on the home-side parking lot.
A public visitation is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen.
Craig’s funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen, followed by a committal service at Ridgeview Memorial Park at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow. The committal will include United States Marine Corps military honors and a final prayer.
An educational endowment is also being established in Craig’s memory through the Wylie ISD Education Foundation.