James Craig Edelen

James "Craig" Edelen, (67), passed away on February 23, 2019  from cancer of the parotid gland after many years of declining health from frontotemporal dementia.  His wife was at his side.

Craig was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 4, 1951 to the late George and Linda (Landry) Edelen.
Craig was a loving son, brother, uncle, husband, father and friend. A wonderful listener, Craig's radiant smile drew people in and his friendship was always devoted, easy, genuine and loyal.
A graduate of Terry Business College at the University of Georgia, Craig was a proud Bulldog and Pi Kappa Alpha brother.  It was a gift to him to be able to come back to Athens to live and work at his Alma mater as Associate Director of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel from which he retired in 2012.
Craig enjoyed a 35+ year career in the hospitality profession owning/managing many clubs/restaurants and hotels over the years. He lived in many cities in SC, NCand GA and worked at hotels in both Food/Beverage as well as General Manager.
Raised Catholic in his youth, Craig later joined the Presbyterian church with his family. He chaired several personnel and financial committees; in later years, he enjoyed men's retreats and the music of the bell choir. He was a member of Oconee Presbyterian Church
In his personal time, Craig loved to play golf, run and work out, hike, sail and boat; to listen to all types of music from symphonic and classical to early rock; to cheer on Georgia and college football; to garden, work crossword puzzles and to cook, to love his many pets: and to fish and spend time on the water whether it be river, lake or ocean. It was there that he found his peace.
His greatest joy, however, was his family- Kendall, his wife of 23 years, and his sons, Britt and Jack. He loved to spend time with them at their various activities, outdoors, traveling, or just at home.  Craig was a completely content and happy man, describing his life as "wonderfully lived".
Survivors include his wife, Kendall; his two beloved sons, Britt and Jack; his sisters Debra (George) Register and Lana (Charles Gaudry) Brennan, both of Jacksonville, Fl; several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to offer grateful thanks to Silverleaf Memory Care Home and Compassionate Care Hospice of Northern Georgia for their care.
In memory of Craig, donations may be made to Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Radnor Station Building 2, Suite 320,  290 King of Prussia Rd.,  Radnor, PA 19087 or American Cancer Society  105 Westgate Dr., Athens Georgia  30606
The memorial service will be held at Oconee Presbyterian Church , June 9th, at 4:00pm, 2601 Hog Mountain Rd. Watkinsville, GA  30677.
Lord and Stephens Funeral Homes, West, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Rd., Watkinsville, GA 30677 is in charge of arrangements.