Craig Bennett Hairston

Craig Bennett Hairston passed away unexpectedly on November 17, 2025 surrounded by family. He was born on December 23, 1952 in Millington, Tennessee to Thomas Edwin Hairston and Johnnie Oval Hairston. He is survived by his loving wife Melissa Hairston, children Chad, Lyndsee and Amanda Hairston, and siblings Kim Ewing, Todd and Mark Hairston.

Craig grew up in Roswell, NM and was proud to have been appointed to and attended the U.S. Naval Academy. He later graduated from New Mexico State University and served as a paramedic in Dallas, TX. He also spent time working with Los Alamos National Laboratory and Halliburton Oil and Gas in Dallas, TX and Seattle, WA. Craig went on to become a gifted public speaker and adjunct professor for numerous schools and organizations in South Carolina and was a spokesperson for new spinal cord injury patients through the American Paralysis Association and the SC Spinal Cord Injury Association. He was an avid racer, a builder of all things, and a man whose quick wit and humor brought laughter and love to everyone around him. Above all, Craig was an incredibly loving husband and supportive father and he cherished the special role he held in the lives of his niece Amanda and nephews Jordan and Justin.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Craig on Saturday, December 6th at Eight Sixty Station, 554 Meeting Street, West Columbia, South Carolina 29169 from 1-5 pm. We welcome all whose lives were touched by Craig, as well as anyone who wishes to support his family, to join us in honoring and celebrating him.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Tunnels to Towers (https://t2t.org/) in honor of Craig, cards welcome.