11/22/2025
Russell Leroy Craig
Dr. Russell L. Craig, Professor Emeritus, of Ashland, OH, passed away on November 21st after a brief illness. He was 81.
Russell was born on November 15, 1944 in Sturgis, SD to Orin and Edythe Craig. He attended Lead High School and graduated in 1963. He served in the Air Force 1963-1964 and was stationed in Alaska. He married Elaine Hamilton in 1964 and they raised three children.
Russell worked many jobs including mining, mechanic, police officer, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Sky Ranch for Boys before enrolling in Black Hills State College and earning his Bachelor of Science in 1973. He then landed a job as a Parole Officer for the State of South Dakota and relocated the family to assume his first post in Winner, SD. After one year, the family relocated to Yankton, SD for his next post, where he would work on his Master’s Degree and earn his MS in 1976. After eight years as a Parole Officer, Russell decided to venture into teaching. He began teaching at Yankton College in 1981 where he would create the Criminal Justice program and Chair the Criminal Justice and Sociology Departments. While teaching, he often worked part time as Deputy Sheriff and a motorcycle salesman, as well as a process server.
Russell earned his Doctor of Education in 1985 and when Yankton College closed, he relocated to Ashland, OH where he would teach, establish the Criminal Justice program and chair the program for much of his tenure until his retirement in 2015. He would be named Professor Emeritus afterward.
During his time in Ashland, Russell served on many Boards and Advisory Committees, wrote test banks, edited Correctional Education journals, authored two books and taught at the Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield Correctional and Grafton Correctional. He was most proud of his work with Criminal Justice Interns and creating the relationships that would help turn out Criminal Justice professionals.
In retirement, he spent time working as a Project Manager and Scheduler for Mowery Builders as well as trading cars every 3-6 months and hanging out at Bill Harris Dealerships and drinking all of their sodas and eating their snacks. Many times, he would bring them his homemade chili.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Danny(Eileen) and Randy, and his son Russell.
He is survived by his son James (Tina) Craig, daughter Alison (Earl) Clark, daughter Alison Craig, son Michael Ross, brother Darrell (Sandy) Craig, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Russell requested no service and will have his remains laid to rest in the Black Hills of South Dakota at a later date. Friends and neighbors can call at 2329 Twin Leaf Court on December 6th between the hours of 3:00pm and 6:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, a fund is being set up in Russell’s honor to defer expenses for Criminal Justice interns at Ashland University, a program close to his heart. Until the fund is fully established, those donations can be sent to son James Craig at 685 E. Church St., Marion, OH 43302.
View Russell Leroy Craig's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
