Dr. Mickey Gene Craig

Dr. Mickey Gene Craig, age 70, of Hillsdale, passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, after some months of health difficulties. He was born July 7, 1955, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to Gene and Patsy Jane (Gathright) Craig. Mickey met Joanne Cloud in California in 1982, and the two were married on May 30, 1987; she survives.

Mickey graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1973 and went on to receive his bachelor's degree from Arkansas State University. He later received his master's degree and doctorate from Claremont Graduate School. Mickey began his teaching career at Hillsdale College in 1986 as a professor of politics. A consummate and beloved teacher, Mickey opened great books and important ideas to generations of students, drawing from his zeal for Plato's Socrates, Xenophon's Cyrus, the Federalist Papers, and the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. For many years, he served the college as chair of the politics department, dean of social sciences, director of the WHIP program, faculty athletic representative, and advisor for the TKE fraternity. Mickey's first love was baseball; he was a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan and a Strat-O-Matic master. He was also a fierce racquetball competitor, a nearly undefeated champion in Trivial Pursuit, and a seeker of southern sunshine. Together with his family, he attended St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hillsdale.

In addition to his wife, Joanne Craig, Mickey is survived by six children, Monica (Christopher) Fiedorek of Springdale, AR, Patsy (Aloysius) Aeschliman of Hillsdale, Joe Craig of San Antonio, TX, Christina (Connor) McNamara of Colorado Springs, CO, Michael (Sophia) Craig of Dallas, TX, and Matthew Craig of Hillsdale; seven grandchildren, Meghan & Michael Fiedorek, Antonia Aeschliman, Ambrose & Jerome & Caleb McNamara, and Christopher Craig; one brother, Tommy Glen Craig, a stepmother, Janis Craig, and one stepbrother, Ronnie (Karen) Bruce, all of Monette, AR. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Dr. Mickey Craig will be held Monday, February 16, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hillsdale with Fr. David Reamsnyder celebrating. The family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday from 2:00-6:00 PM with a scripture service offered at 5:30 PM at the VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale. Final interment will take place at Macey Cemetery in Monette, Arkansas on Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 AM.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Hillsdale College scholarship funds or to SPARC of Hillsdale, a nonprofit enrichment center for adults with developmental disabilities.