Cornelius Abernathy "Neil" Craig II

CRAIG II, Cornelius Abernathy "Neil"Age 80. A retired businessman, philanthropist and sportsman, passed away peacefully at home on June 9, 2009. Lifetime resident of Nashville, he attended Palmer Elementary School, Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA and graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1951. The same year, he began his 33-year career with the National Life and Accident Insurance Company as an Agent in San Antonio, TX. In 1953, he became the first member from National Life to be inducted into the insurance industry's Million Dollar Round Table. Following positions in Texas and California "in the field", Neil returned to the Home Office in Nashville in 1959. After numerous advancements, he became Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Life and Accident Insurance Company, National Property Owners Insurance Company and Chairman of NL T Marketing Services Corporation. He also served on the Board of Directors of WSM, Inc., NLT Corporation, Third National Bank, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Episcopal High School, Meharry Medical College, Canby Robinson Society of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and served as Chairman of the S1, Thomas Foundation Board, and was inducted into the Seton Society. He was former Chairman of the Agency Officers Round Table, made up of Senior Agency Officers from the fifty largest U. S. and Canadian companies and past Chairman of the Life Insurers Conference. He was also a member of the Pedlars, an exclusive international organization of top insurance agency executives. His true love in the insurance world was marketing, and the development and promotion of the Agency force. He always said, "these men and their families are our responsibility because they are the backbone of our Company." He developed very close relationships with the Agents and to this day, still receives calls from all over the United States. He was a prolific speechwriter, poet, and motivator, often leaving his audience in tears. In 1984, after his departure from NLT, he started a financial planning company, Money Concepts, Ltd. in Toronto, CN. At the time he sold his interest in 1997, the company had developed 92 offices across Canada. In 1988, he founded and co-owned Game Fair, Ltd. a retail store specializing in high-grade sporting guns and shooting accessories, and sold to the co-owner in 1995. A lifetime member of West End United Methodist Church, he served on numerous committees and the Executive Board. He was a long-time supporter of Vanderbilt athletics and former member of the Commodore Club. He was a Swan Ball Patron for Cheekwood for over twenty years, and a member of the United Way Tocqueville Society since 1982. In 1992, he established the C. A. Craig, II Medical Scholarship Fund at Vanderbilt University, benefiting over fifty young men and women in their pursuit of becoming doctors. He, as his father, was a dedicated benefactor of the Boy Scouts of America, strongly believing in supporting youth in their formative years. He was past President of the Middle Tennessee Council, and Area II, Southeast Region. He was a recipient of the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope Awards, two of the highest leadership honors bestowed by the Boy Scouts of America. He sponsored the Scoutreach Program for inner city children. He and his sisters established Camp Craig at the Boxwell Reservation in memory of their father, Edwin W. Craig. Neil was an avid outdoorsman: hunting, fishing, and training hunt dogs. He was past President of the Middle Tennessee Amateur Retriever Club and judged nationally for AKC sanctioned Retriever Field Trials. He competed his hunt dogs nationally and won the National Amateur Field Trial Championship in 1975. He was a Life Sponsor and former Chairman of Ducks Unlimited. In 2000, he wrote a book, "From Here On In," his hunting memoirs gathered from his worldwide travels and endearing friendships. He was a lover of music and strong supporter of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He grew up playing the saxophone, guitar, and harmonica, even though he never learned to read music. He wrote and had four songs recorded, the best known of which was "Christmas At The Opry." He was a member of Belle Meade Country Club, Old Natchez Country Club and former member of Cumberland Club, Davy Crockett Hunting Club, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Ponte Vedra Club, Sawgrass Club, and Tournament Players Club. Later in life, he became involved with Saddle Up!, a therapeutic riding program for children with disabilities. His love of dogs led him to be a contributor to Canine Companions for Independence, a national organization that matches trained assistance dogs with disabled individuals. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Wilson and Elizabeth Wade Craig. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Wallace Craig; sisters, Elizabeth Craig Weaver Proctor and Margaret Ann Craig Robinson; numerous loved nieces, nephews, in-laws and "out-laws." The family wishes to thank the following for their care and enrichment of his life: Dr. Roy O. Elam III, Mary Gibson VanZant and Staff of Alive Hospice, Wilma Ingram, personal secretary for 30 years, the Jim and Ruby Williams family, the John and Magnolia Nichols family, Kenneth W. Taylor, Pamela J. Griffith, Ivan Fleming, Cammie Sells, Dean Scallan, Ronnie E. Davis, Kelvin D. Butler, Larry Johnson, Lonnie Elam, Winsome Lowe and Fronzo Cotton. A special thanks to Ben, Jo, Sally, Margaret and Allison Doubleday for their always present friendship and the multitude of friends developed over his lifetime. In his words, "There are no strangers in this world, just friends that haven't met. Visitation and celebration of Neil's life with family will be at West End United Methodist Church, Reed Hall, 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203 on June 15, 2009 from 3-6 p.m. Private family graveside service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 16, 2009 with Reverend Tom Laney officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203; the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 3414 Hillsboro Road, Nashville, TN 37215; or a charity of your choice. MARSHALL DONNELLY COMBS, (615) 327-1111.