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Dr. Hugh Charles Craft

FUNERAL HOME

St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home & Gardens

701 W VIRTUE ST

Chalmette, Louisiana

Hugh Craft Obituary

Dr. Hugh Charles Craft would like us to inform everyone that his work here on earth is done. He received a call and it was an offer he could not refuse. His Lord and Savior called him home with a new assignment which comes with many perks, such as eternal life, visiting with loved ones and maybe attending a meeting here and there. He is survived by his wife, Carolon Hall Craft, of 56 happy years. He was born June 23, 1939 in Tylertown, Mississippi to the late James and Mary Craft. He is survived by his three daughters and their husbands, Jenny Cuccia (Charles), Tammi Labarre (Peter) and Cassi Vallee (Gerry). Also, survived by two brothers, Kerney Craft, Sr. (late Ruby Nell) and James Craft (Donis). He is preceded in death by his brother, the late Edwy Craft. His adored grandchildren, paw-paw's pals and princess, are Garrett, Michael, Jonathan, Ethan, Luke, Emma and heavenly angel, Pierce. Also survived by many nephews and nieces. He was a long time resident of St. Bernard Parish and dedicated his entire life to the people of the community. He was driven by his passion to enhance the educational opportunities for students. Hugh was always happy to offer assistance to anyone in need and loved to serve his community. He also loved his family immensely and was a devoted family man. He had a zeal for his Lord and his home church, Covenant United Methodist Church of Chalmette, where he served on many boards and as treasurer. His awards and accolades are too numerous to list. He served on the St. Bernard Parish School Board for 23 years until the time of his death. He served in many capacities on local and state-wide boards and held many leadership positions. He was currently serving as state President of the Louisiana School Boards Association. One of his greatest recognitions truly sums up his life when he was honored with the Rotary International Service Above Self Award. Our lives have forever been changed because of his love and we will miss him tremendously. The family will receive friends Saturday, October 13 from 8:30 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. at Covenant United Methodist Church, E. D'Amour St. at Paris Road, Chalmette, LA. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 A.M. A graveside service at Sartinville Cemetery, Sartinville, MS will follow at 3 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant United Methodist Church, In memory of Hugh Charles Craft, P.O. Box 530, Chalmette, LA 70044. To sign and view the family guestbook, please visit www.stbernardmemorial.com.

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Published by The New Orleans Advocate from Oct. 11 to Oct. 13, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Hugh Craft

25 Entries

Bonnie Cook

October 14, 2018

Dear Carolon and girls,
It was with great sadness that I learned of Hugh's passing but you can all be comforted that he had completed his life's work and gave such guidance to the rest of us left behind.
May you find peace knowing what a legacy he has left for all of us whose lives he touched.
Bonnie Cook

Patty McElroy Gonzales

October 14, 2018

My Love & Condolences... I use to babysit for your Lovely Family back in the '70s and Mrs. Craft was my HomeEc Teacher at AJHS <3

Richard Reed

October 13, 2018

Hugh was one of the greatest people I knew. When ever I saw him I had to smile. I was always happy when Hugh was around. I served on the JTPA and WIB boards with him for over 20 years. He will be missed.

Carole Wells

October 13, 2018

I have known Carolon and the Craft girls for a number of years and only recently Hugh about six months ago. He was such a kind, gentle and soft spoken man. He fought a good fight to stay with his family and will be terribly missed by all.

Claudette Stone

October 12, 2018

Mrs Craft and family, so very sorry for your loss. Mr Craft always remembered names whenever running into students, no matter how long ago he met us. He was a great teacher and a good man. May God give you His strength in your time of need.

Clare Neeson - Zavalza

October 12, 2018

Such sad news . Dr. Craft and his caring wife Carolon helped a young wife from Ireland and her Mexican husband feel welcomed to St. Bernard Parish some 30 years ago . He always took time to chat and make us feel at home , a place I still consider home . Please accept my heartfelt condolences. He was a true gentleman.

James A. Taylor, J.D., Ph.D.

October 12, 2018

Dear Carolon and family:
It is with great humility that I post this to you. I have never known a more unselfish, giving man than Hugh. Upon meeting him some ten years ago, I was immediately impressed with his comprehensive knowledge of education and its critical role in creating economic, social, and cultural prosperity in any community. As I worked with him on LRTA, TRSL, LSBA, and the Coalition for Public Education matters, I realized that his life was profoundly rooted in a deep faith as espoused in the Wesleyan tradition. He never was impressed by the Pharisaical Christianity so prevalent in our country today. Hugh epitomized the Methodist principle of "preaching a sermon every day, but rarely using words to do so." He knew and practiced the obligation of educated people to "serve one's own, not oneself." During my term as President of the LRTA (2010-2012) his wise and sober counsel was always prized by me. Hugh could see the big picture but also would set forth how all the details enabled the situation to be made viable. He knew the destructive role of the self-righteous critic and always avoided that trap. He always used the strongest but gentlest pronoun, "We," when deliberating on topics necessary to "make retirement years great" for all retirees. I can truly say that public education throughout Louisiana would be considerably less effective today if Hugh had not stepped up to fight forces designed to deny excellent public education to people with less political power. I viewed him as a colleague, friend, and brother in Christ. I know that he was greeted in Heaven by the ultimate validation, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
I am sorry my current health crisis will not let me see you personally, but know that many others and I will be aware of the great hole his departure leaves. I dedicate myself to furthering the work to which he so ably contributed. We lost a great man dedicated to the eternal principle of Making the Lord's "kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven." I thank you for sharing such a great man with us.

May God Bless you and comfort you in your grief.

James A. Taylor, J.D., Ph. D.

Molly Buckley

October 12, 2018

Mrs. Craft, my prayers are with you and your family at this time. Dr. Craft was one of the kindest people I've ever met. After I told him how good you were to me in my four person class as a senior, he always knew that I was going to ask about you at any meeting, event, anytime I saw him. He was always happy to talk about you and your family. He loved his family and he loved what he did for his community. He was an amazing man. God surely has chosen a special person to be with him in Heaven. Blessings to you and your family.

Carol Bozes Hamm

October 11, 2018

I remember him from church. He was a wonderful person. My thoughts and prays are with his family and everyone at the United Methodist church on Paris Road.

Kelly Kildahl

October 11, 2018

Tammi,
Jim and I are sorry for your loss. Dr. Craft handed me my high school diploma. He will be missed.

Brenda Breakfield

October 11, 2018

Dr. Craft will be missed by all of friends and family. He was a great man. I feel very blessed to have known him. Prayers for his family.

Bonnie Patton

October 11, 2018

Dear Craft Family. So sorry for your loss. Dr. Craft was a wonderful friend and it was a privilege to serve on the School Board with him. He will be remembered in my prayers.

Bonnie Gill Lambert

October 11, 2018

Sorry for your loss I grew up at Sartinville and have fond memories of the Craft family
God Bless each of you

Donna Luc Papania

October 11, 2018

My Condolences to you Mrs. Craft an your family! Dr Craft will be Miss by all who crossed his path! May God be with all of you at this time.

Mary Lastovica

October 11, 2018

As a former student of Dr. Craft at Chalmette Middle I know that he will be truly missed by all. He was a mentor to all and a wonderful person to all who knew him. I know his family and friends will truly miss him. I pray for his family during these difficult times.

Sweetie

October 11, 2018

First off; I love the obituary send off. Tells so much of a great man. Love you all. You're in my prayers

Jeri Petersen

October 11, 2018

There are so many things to say about Mr. Craft, all positive. He had a heart of gold and loved people, all people. He was always fair and honest and honorable no matter the undertaking. He served our church faithfully and with great zeal. We all loved him, anyone who came in contact. I'm sure many were at the Pearly Gates waiting to greet him with open arms (looking through the slats can't you just see that?). God has plans for him, never doubt. To the whole Craft family, I know how sad you are, but he'll be waiting for you, you will see him again. I love you all.

Tracey Perry

October 11, 2018

Mrs. Carolyn, Jenni, Tammi & Cassi,
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Mr.Hugh was a kind, sweet and gentle man. I don't know if you remember giving me piano lessons, Jennie?? I think I was one of your first students, and often your dad was there. I'm sure I entertained him with my excuses for NOT practicing!! I feel I was VERY creative in my reasons! My prayers are with you all!! Heaven has gained a sweet man.

Liz Abadie

October 11, 2018

Dr. Craft has had a major impact in my life. He provided me with opportunities that I think I never would have had if it were not for him. He will always have a special, loving place in my heart. My prayers are with all of you at this time of great sorrow. May the angels welcome you, Dr. Craft, with open arms.

Paddy Barbay Lee

October 11, 2018

So very sorry for your loss, Carolon. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers..

Lynn Gagnon

October 11, 2018

Another real gentleman has left us. Prayers, hugs and love for the family. So sorry he left us but we know he is in his real home.

Mike Chiappetta

October 11, 2018

He was my 8th grade home room and math teacher at chalmette,middle and had opportunity to work alongside him through rotary and other community endeavors. Heaven just became a little more cheerful with his 'new assignment'.
God bless him and,prayers for all of his family.

A Former Student

October 11, 2018

I took a Math class taught by Dr. Craft back when the St. Bernard Community College operated in the old Chalmette High School. It gave him such joy when students in his class were able to understand and perform a function correctly on home work assignments or by their correct response when we did problems in class.

He was genuinely a nice man who cared about PEOPLE. His reward was seeing them succeed. I don't know of anyone who failed one of his classes.

God bless you, Dr. Craft! Your many contributions are paying and will continue to pay dividends exponentially.

Nancy & Bill Baldwin

October 11, 2018

So sorry to loose such a great Godly man. God calls those who love Him to be with Him!