Edward Alan Craig

Ed Craig was born on 12/18/1944 to Robert and Dorothy Craig in Baltimore, MD. He moved from Baltimore with his Dad, Mom and Sister, Brenda, to Asheville, NC at age 4. He lived in Asheville and attended Biltmore School through eighth grade. He moved to Lilburn, GA to live with his Dad and played basketball and graduated valedictorian at Lilburn High School in 1963.

After he graduated and attending University of Georgia, he was drafted into the army and was commissioned to Ft. Campbell, KY and Ft. Hood, TX where he served in the administration division. Once out of the army he continued his education at Woodrow Wilson School of law. Although his goal was to be an attorney, his father persuaded him to leave school and run the family business of Quality Collection Agency.

In the late 60’s, Ed met and fell in love with his wife, Gloria, while she was working at the firm during breaks from College. They were married on January 10, 1970. Their first son, Jason Alan Craig was born later in 1970.

The family business dissolved in 1971 and Ed joined Financial Collection Agency. With his dedication and unsurpassed work ethic, he accelerated and advanced throughout his career. In 1977, his second son, Mark Craig, was born.

In 1985, he joined Master Collection Agency. His greatest financial success and achievement was realized under the owner and president of the company, Jim Bailey.

His two sons, Jason and Mark were objects of his love and discipline. Ed and the two boys and his niece, Jennifer, spent hours at the health club and all shared a love for sports and music. He considered his niece, Jennifer Williams Hasty, as his daughter. He gave her away when she married Clint Hasty in 1992. They shared a special bond and he took his final breath with her holding his hand.

He moved to Houston, Texas in 1996 and on to Valencia California in 1998. He travelled between five states from 2001-2004. At his 60th birthday celebration, it was decided to start a family business named Legal Recovery Resource (LRR). Ed and his two sons developed a business plan. The happiest days spent was developing the business to leave a part of himself to his two sons. Today LRR has 400 clients and continues to grow.

Ed left a legacy of hard work and dedication to service and family. He went to the health club twice and sometimes three times a day. He never missed work and even worked on the day he was admitted to the hospital. He loved to listen to music, go to concerts, dance, spend time with his three grandchildren, and walk his two schnauzers, Artie and Ben. He had an intense love of gardening, but above all enjoyed a fine glass of chardonnay.

From the beginning to the end he was positive, determined, and his life ended as he lived which was on his own terms. The morning of his death he asked his wife, Gloria, to let him go and let him die. He lived 69 days from the day he was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. The lymphoma metastasized, to many organs and also to the spine which rendered him paralyzed. Only 36 hours of this difficult ordeal was spent at the home, his son, Mark, and daughter-in-law, Lisa, had prepared for him and Gloria to live upon Ed’s release from the hospital.

Ed Craig lived a life of hard work, love, laughter, dedication to family and purpose. He was forever adapting and looked forward and never backward. He will be missed.

"God saw he was getting tired and the cure was not to be

So he put his arms around him and whispered, “Come with Me”

With tearful hearts we watched him fade away

Although we loved him dearly, we could not make him stay

A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands to rest

God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best."

For those who wish contributions may be made to Leukemia & Lymphoma foundation, please click the link to send your donations. www.lls.org. (914) 293-1127. Please put In memory of Edward Craig 4801 Taylors Court; Marietta, GA 30068