Craig graduated from Dexter High School in 2003. He attended Washtenaw Community College and studied for his General Electricians license. As a young child, Craig received the nickname “Crash Craig” for the way he took life head-on with full enthusiasm and an adventurous spirit.
Environmental sustainability was very important to Craig. In 2007, he moved to California to work in the Solar Industry, eventually working as a Regional Operations Manager for SolarCity. He especially enjoyed watching the migrating whales along the coast on his lunch break from the rooftops where he was working.
Eager to share the beauty of nature, he brought visiting friends and family members to his favorite places in California, especially his beloved Yosemite National Park and Muir Woods National Monument. When he returned to live in Michigan in 2014, he took an extended cross country road trip to visit over 80 National Park sites across the country, arriving home for a Christmas family reunion.
Craig is best described as compassionate and big-hearted. He could find common ground and friendship with just about everyone he met. He loved well and inspired those around him to care more, to be gentler and more accepting with others and with ourselves. He was always a shoulder to lean on and a true friend. Everyone who met Craig knew how intelligent and inquisitive he was. Everyone knew his mischievous grin and clever sense of humor. He could carry on a deep and meaningful conversation with anyone on so many topics, from science to history, politics to philosophy, and of course his beloved Detroit Red Wings and University of Michigan football. We all walked away from conversations with Craig having learned something new about the world and about ourselves.
Craig is survived by his mother Carol Clements and father Mark Clements (Sharon), his brothers Joshua Clements (Tarah), Andrew Clements (Lauren), sister Heidi Mitchell (Kevin), his nieces Laurel, Calla, and Maia, his nephews Finnegan and Declan, and his beloved dog Obie.
He is also survived by his two grandmothers, Kathleen Buhl and Marjorie Clements, his aunts Nancy Betka (Rob), Karen Seward (Steve), and Uncle Scott Clements (Anne), and his cousins Paul Betka (Talia), Kate Betka, Laura Ortiz (Gabriel), Travis Sari (Rhiannon), Tyler Sari (Sarah), Nathaniel Clements, Gabrielle Clements, Matthew Clements, and Monique Clements. Craig was preceded in death by his two grandfathers, Harry Buhl and Donald Clements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Craig’s memory may be made to the National Parks and Conservation Association (https://support.npca.org), The Nature Conservancy (https://preserve.nature.org), or The John Muir Trail Wilderness Conservancy (https://jmtwilderness.org/donate/).
There will be an outdoor Celebration of Life for our dear Craig on Friday, October 14th at Pinckney State Recreation Area, 8555 Silver Hill Road, Pinckney, Michigan 48169. Memories and kind words are welcomed to be shared from 4:00 - 6:00 pm with a bonfire to follow. Please feel free to share a song or musical piece as well. Please bring your own chair and either a park entry sticker or fee is required. Follow signs to the lower level parking lot.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may also be shared at www.hosmermuehlig.com for the Clements family.
Craig had great admiration for John Muir’s work:
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” -John Muir
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