CRAIG LEONARD HODGES, age 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 10, 2023 at Baptist Memorial Hospital.

Born in Chicago, IL, Craig moved with his family to Memphis, TN when he was six years old. Craig and his older brother, Keith, enjoyed exploring the area around their East Memphis home and riding the trolley Downtown to watch movies or visit the magic shop. As a child, Craig developed a deep love of musical theatre. He spent many happy hours in the family garage building theatre sets. Eventually, he staged musical plays with other children in his neighborhood. These popular performances gained local attention, leading to an article being published in the Memphis Press-Scimitar.

Craig graduated from White Station High School in 1964. In his late teens and early twenties, Craig sang backup and lead in the band Tight Little Unit. After Tight Little Unit disbanded he sang lead in the Charles Nichols Orchestra for several years. He attended Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis), receiving a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Education in Counseling. Craig was employed by Goodwill from 1973 to 2007 and the Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired from 2008 until his retirement in 2018.

38 years sober, Craig was an AA sponsor to a multitude of people. He touched many lives through his service, sponsorship, and fellowship. Also for over two decades, Craig hosted a weekly "movie night" at his home every Saturday.  Through his hospitality, people in recovery had a safe alcohol-free place to socialize and build friendships.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Mary Hodges, his stepmother, Martha Hodges, and his brother, Keith Hodges (Doris Hodges). He is survived by his sister, Karen Hodges June (Sean June), his nieces Jennifer Hodges Whitehead (Chris Whitehead), Olivia Chaffin King (Drew King), Abigail Chaffin, Julianne Crouch, Chris Helms, and Cindy Hawkins (Bill Hawkins), and great niece Riley Whitehead.

Visitation for family and friends will be at High Point Funeral Home on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 12 PM with service to follow at 1 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:

Memphis Area Intergroup

3540 Summer Avenue, Suite 104 Memphis, TN 38122

memphisarea@bellsouth.net

901-454-1414