Hugh Craig

The Rev. Hugh B. Craig, Jr., age 78, died on October 15, 2015.

Hugh was born on Nov. 12, 1936, in Concord, NC, to Hugh B. Craig and Marie Doster Craig. Hugh's dad was a businessman, and his mother was a professional singer before her marriage. Hugh inherited her vocal talent.

The great big bass-baritone voice showed forth early. As a teen, Hugh attended Brevard Music Camp in summer. There he was selected to sing a duet with Eileen Farrell, then the reigning diva at the Metropolitan Opera, who was visiting.

At Davidson College, Hugh prepared for a career in opera. He won a fellowship to Indiana University for a Master's degree in vocal performance, but then he suddenly pivoted away from music, deciding instead to become an Episcopal priest. He entered the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, as it was then called, in Austin in the fall of 1958.

Hugh took leave of his seminary studies for 18 months to serve on the staff of St. Augustine's Chapel in New York's Lower East Side. As part of the church's immersion in its neighborhood, Hugh was assigned to a street gang as "their" social worker. His tales from that time are chilling and inspiring and infuriating.

Hugh graduated from seminary in May 1962. Just before, on Easter Day, Hugh married Sally Emerson of Austin. They had two children before divorcing in 1977. Fortunately, their friendship outlasted their marriage.

Hugh's ministry began in the Diocese of North Carolina, at the Chapel of Hope in Charlotte. He became involved in work with alcoholics, and after four years, Hugh decided he wanted to do that work full-time. And, he wanted to do it in Austin.

At the Austin State Hospital (ASH), Hugh had to wait for a chaplaincy opening in the addiction treatment unit. He accepted an interim position as a social worker, and with that, Hugh's career path took another turn. Other than for occasional weddings or funerals, he did not put on his clerical collar again for about 40 years.

From ASH, Hugh went to alcoholism programming at the Texas Rehabilitation Commission. During that time, he took a part-time job as wine steward at Green Pastures Restaurant. (Another of his areas of expertise was wines and fine cuisine.) The combination of jobs was ironic. Both his supervisors said some version of "Just keep it straight, when you're selling it and when you're saving from it."

In time, Hugh left social service to become manager of Green Pastures. His new restaurant career continued with the Good Eats cafes, after which he went to work for Greg Schnurr. In his decade-plus with Schnurr Inc., a company with many wide-ranging enterprises, Hugh did diverse research and analysis, as well as public relations for the firm's Mexico properties. He also helped launch and/or operate several restaurants under the Schnurr umbrella. He retired from Schnurr Inc. at the end of 2013.

In mid-life, Hugh's music came alive again when he wrote the score for "Tom Sawyer Abroad," based on Twain's sequel to Tom Sawyer. The musical won a national award for productions originating in community theatre. Even later, Hugh turned to playwriting. His plays "Bittersweet" and "Beulah Land" were produced by the Actor's Theatre in Los Angeles.

About ten years ago, Hugh returned to active ministry in the Episcopal Church, joining the staff of St. James Episcopal Church. He had come full circle, for both the mission and the community of St. James are remarkably like those of St. Augustine's in New York City. Hugh was happily active in the life of St. James until his health failed suddenly in December 2014. He deeply loved the people of St. James.

Hugh is survived by his daughter Marianna Craig, his son Conner Craig and wife Robin, his grandsons Ian and Aeric Craig, and his former wife Sally Craig, along with beloved Edsall nephews Bill (wife Emma, children Rebecca and Jason), James, and Hugh B.

The family is grateful for the care Hugh received at UMC Brackenridge and Central Texas Rehabilitation Hospital in December 2014. Since January, he has lived at Park Bend Health Center, and the Craigs send to that staff profound appreciation and heartfelt gratitude for the expert and loving care Hugh received there.

A memorial service celebrating Hugh's life will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at St. James Episcopal Church, 1941 Webberville Road, Austin. Arrangements by All Faiths' Funeral Home.

Singer, composer, playwright, social worker, restaurateur, advocate for many kinds of troubled people, bon vivant, husband and father and friend, and, most of all, priest, Hugh Craig lived a full life of many layers. May he rest in peace, for a little while ... and then start singing "Amazing Grace" again, clear and strong.