Gary Craig

1948 - 2025

Gary Craig, 77

Gary Gene Craig, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away at home on April 15th, 2025 at the age of 77 with his wife Athene and daughters Katie and Bethany at his side.



Gary grew up in Ephrata, WA. He spent his childhood riding his family's horses and prided himself on how he could ride even the wildest steeds. He had many fond memories of taking pack trips with his parents and brother Leon into the local mountains. His favorite horse never missed a chance to lie down in every stream they crossed with Gary scrambling to get off its back in time. Gary loved to be active - he played shortstop on the varsity baseball team, and later developed a love of running which he shared with his daughters.



Gary attended the University of Washington, earning a BA in English Literature, an MLIS and a MAT. During these years, he grew especially close to his cousin, Ron McComb, who was also at UW. They lived together for a time and both worked at a bookstore on "The Ave" where they were paid in books. They proudly shared a juvenile sense of humor throughout their lives, dragging in brother Leon over the years. If he wanted to make us laugh, we had no choice.



Gary's love of books continued throughout his life as he avidly collected rare and used books. Many weekends were spent "booking," often with a list of all the titles he hoped to come across folded in his wallet. Gary amassed a collection of 8,000 books with his bookcases serving as headboards, room dividers, and general decor. Gary listened to music and read for two hours each morning before work, waking up at 4:30am so that he could read (and go for a run) before the day began. He loved music and Bob Dylan was his man.



Gary's career began in the UW's Arts & Sciences Honors Program and he went on to become a successful executive who managed admissions, enrollment, registration and financial aid at liberal arts colleges. Gary was known for his strategic thinking and was proud of his many successes increasing student enrollment. At Marietta College he pioneered a very fruitful student recruitment program in China, enjoying life-long friendships with the Chinese colleagues he met. His career took him to Delaware, Ohio, and eventually back to Seattle where he joined his cousin Ron at Cornish College of the Arts as the Vice President of Enrollment. Gary was a beloved colleague and mentor who was cherished by his staff & students.



The Craig family extend their sincere thanks to Gary's doctor, Nicholas Moy, MD at Virginia Mason who took beautiful care of Gary through his battle with Alzheimer's and kidney diseases. Gary felt safe in his care and so did we. He is survived by his wife, Athene Anderson Craig, his daughters, Bethany Craig and Katherine Brooks (Patrick), their mother Nancy Craig, his grandchildren, Leo and Marina Brooks, and his brother, Leon Craig (Judy). May his memory be eternal.