Craig Inwood Smith

Craig Inwood Smith of Shaker Heights, Ohio, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2025. Born March 4, 1947, to William Inwood Smith and Patty Alma Roth Smith, Craig spent much of his childhood along the shores of Lake Erie in Rocky River, Ohio. He attended Rocky River High School, competing in football, basketball, and baseball, graduating in 1965. Craig then spent a Post Graduate year at Western Reserve Academy where he earned accolades as a standout basketball player, scoring a record-breaking 45 points in a single game in 1966.

Craig went on to attend The Ohio State University, remaining a lifelong fan of Buckeye athletics. Upon graduation, he earned his law degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. Admitted to the bar in 1975, Craig began his law career at Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company before transitioning to private practice.

It was during law school that Craig met the love of his life, Mary Lou. He credited her for giving him the confidence and support to pass the bar exam. Craig and Mary Lou married in 1977 and enjoyed 40 years of marriage before her passing in 2018. Craig was a proud and dedicated father to their three daughters; Whitney, Taylor, and Townley, and their son, Parker.

Craig and Mary Lou were a perfect match. Mary Lou found comfort in Craig's calm and intentional demeanor, while Craig admired Mary Lou's love of friends, life, and debate. Together, they supported each other where it mattered most. They built a home filled with love and resilience, including their famous Christmas Eve parties with a cherished group of friends of more than 20 years and a guest list that always had room for more.

Craig was selfless and cared deeply for others; his calm temperament and soft-spoken tone allowed him to provide sound advice in times of need, and his willingness to help was genuine and sincere; his words provided comfort and peace to all he encountered. An avid walker, he could often be seen walking to and from church or the library, preferring exercise to driving and ignoring the temperature during winters in Northeast Ohio. He rarely wore jeans; his attire consisted of khakis, a white dress shirt, a tie, and a lightweight navy blue Lands End jacket, regardless of the occasion, often accompanied by a cup of black coffee.

Craig went above and beyond for his children, frequently driving long distances to support their interests in sports, politics, and everything in between. These long drives provided him with the perfect environment to instill his wisdom and experience.

A man of faith, Craig found comfort and community at Church of the Savior in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, where he helped lead a weekly Spiritual Fitness discussion group and served as an usher during church services. His Church of the Savior community was very important to him, and his wife and children loved hearing his "stories from church".

Craig will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his daughters Whitney (Brandon) Zangel, Taylor (Jeremy) Davis, Townley (Chuck Woodcock) Smith, and son Parker (Tyler Waid) Smith, his three grandsons Charlie, Cru, and Ziggy, his sister Shari Frutig, and his nieces Valerie Wood, Julie Dwyer (Mick Ley), Caren (Fritz) Hatton, Jill (Tim) Parker, and Amy (Grey) Robertson. Craig was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou, his grandson Wiley Inwood Davis, his parents Patty and Inwood Smith, his sister Sani Dwyer, and his cherished aunt Mable Boisel.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of Archway Transitional Care and Affinis Hospice of Macon, Georgia for their compassionate care and dedication to Craig.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in memory of Craig to Church of the Savior at: https://www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/ncs-2042

Celebration of life and internment information will follow.