‘My rock, my buddy, my fishing partner’

LIVING MEMORIES In the Phoenix family, father-son and father-daughter bonding most often took place over fishing trips. They were daylong excursions in scenic Oregon or five-day ventures to inland Southern California.

Mike Phoenix remembers a trip in which his father, Craig, made a simple bet: “He said, ‘I bet that I can catch a bigger fish than you.’”

Craig Phoenix was losing the bet for the entire trip, as his son had made the largest catch. But as the two prepared to leave, Craig Phoenix caught a fish just one-quarter of an inch larger than his son’s.

“We were always competing against each other,” Mike Phoenix said. “He pushed me and taught me how to stand on my own two feet.”

A longtime Newport Beach resident, Craig Phoenix died Jan. 8 at his home in Oregon. He was 87.

Phoenix was born in Pomona and moved with his family to Newport Beach. He graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 1937, lettering in football and tennis.

“He was my best friend as we were growing up,” said Christine Richardson, Craig Phoenix’s sister. “He was a very happy-go-lucky, outgoing person.”

Four years after graduation, he married Paula Odom.

Phoenix worked in McDonnell Douglas’ Long Beach division and later was a salesman for California Hardware in L.A.

He returned to Newport Beach to raise his family.

“He was a homeboy,” Mike Phoenix said. “He knew lots of people there, and he got to know a lot of the kids.”

Craig Phoenix managed the Lido Theatre, drove a school bus for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District and served as a reserve police officer.

He often accepted challenges from neighborhood children, including walking on his hands inside the theater when no one else was inside.

But Mike Phoenix said his father was authoritative when he needed to be. On his first day as a bus driver, he handed all riders notices saying they would receive only two notifications before being kicked off the bus. “He had the quietest bus in the whole school,” Mike Phoenix said.

And when children tried to sneak into his theater, their plots would always be foiled, Mike Phoenix said.

Craig and Paula Phoenix took advantage of their time in Newport Beach, frequenting the Rendezvous Ballroom when famous acts came through.

Craig Phoenix later opened Craig’s Mesa Pet Shop on Newport Boulevard. He kept alligators, freshwater otters and quails inside.

“He was an animal lover and a real sportsman,” Mike Phoenix said. “He liked to hunt and fish.”

After cutting back on work around 1975, Craig Phoenix sold the pet shop and set off across the country with his wife.

They finally settled in Shady Cove, Ore., where Craig Phoenix was able to live the outdoors lifestyle for 25 years.

Mike Phoenix said his father was known as one of the best fishermen and boat handlers in the region. He bought a drift boat and had guides point out the best fishing locations.

Christine Theriault, Craig Phoenix’s daughter, said she always enjoyed the trips with her father.

“He was my rock, my buddy, my fishing partner,” she said. “We camped together, fished together and shared good times.”

CRAIG PHOENIX

Born: Feb. 22, 1918

Died: Jan. 8, 2006

Services: Held for family and friends

Survived by: His wife of 65 years, Paula Phoenix; his sister, Christine Richardson; his brother, David Phoenix; his son, Mike Phoenix; his daughter, Christine Theriault; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren20060129itffvwnc(LA)