Robert Craig Cloninger

Robert Craig Cloninger, 38, loving husband and father passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2021 at FirstHealth Montgomery Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Laurel Hill Baptist Church in Candor officiated by Rev. Todd Roseman, Rev. Donald Davis, and Rev. Frankie Owens. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church cemetery in Ellerbe with full police honors. The family will receive friends Wednesday, August 18, 2021 from 6:00 pm-9:00pm at Bumgarner Family Funeral Service in Troy. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, please practice social distancing.

Born May 23, 1983 in Moore County, he was a son of Eddie and Cathy Stewart Cloninger of Ellerbe. Craig loved camping and enjoyed coaching Dixie Softball, working with his tractor, and riding his golf cart. Craig always had a smile on his face and put his service above his self. He worked at the Mt. Gilead Police Department in a reserve capacity. He began his career in 2002 with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and later with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a School Resource Officer at East Montgomery High School. Most recently, Officer Cloninger was employed with the Biscoe Police Department. Craig was also a member of the Ellerbe Rescue Squad.

He is survived by his wife of 16 years who he loved dearly, Elizabeth G. Cloninger of the home; daughters, Abigail and Olivia Cloninger of the home; brother, Bryan Cloninger of Ellerbe; paternal grandmother, Faye Cloninger of Ellerbe; numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Jerry Cloninger and maternal grandparents, Sam and Mildred Glidewell.

Memorials may be made to the Ellerbe Rescue Squad 106 Sunset Ave., Ellerbe, NC 28338 or Montgomery Community College 1011 Page St.  Troy, NC 27371 in memory of Craig for a scholarship to be set up in his name.

Bumgarner Family Funeral Service is serving the family.

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