Craig Warrick Smith passed away peacefully on May 19, 2023, in St. Louis, Missouri, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was 68.

Craig was born on August 24, 1954, to Claude W. and Melvina Smith in Speedway, Indiana. Following graduation from Speedway High School in 1972, he attended Indiana University in Bloomington, where his accomplishments included making the Dean's list.  His career path eventually led him into management. He put his analytical and communication skills to good use as a finance manager for a local auto dealership, where he was employed for 24 years before his retirement in 2019.

Craig was often seen by others as a quiet person, but his life was anything but quiet. He had a tremendous sense of humor and was always ready to laugh at others’ jokes, toss out his own clever witticisms, and even laugh at "his own darn self" (he never took himself too seriously). He was a true “philomath,” a lover of learning, who read constantly and could beat the pants off of you in trivia. He followed current events and political issues and enjoyed seeing the publication of his comments in the editorial section of the New York Times. While he was still working, he was very dedicated to his job and worked long hours but took time to enjoy local wineries as well as traveling with his wife Aniko and family.

Craig was a lifetime sports enthusiast whose interests ran the gamut from motor sports to tennis. He sank his share of layups, got on base, snuck the football into the end zone, made saves at the net, birdied, and reeled in big fish, but his real talent in sports proved to be fantasy football. Craig’s in-depth analysis of studs and stats enabled him to draft the best players, consistently reach the playoffs, and frequently win the league. As a result of this over “anal-ysis,” his FFB record may be the most enviable in the current era. Craig was also a capable, creative, and decisive Fantasy Football Commissioner for the family league, who constantly worked to ensure enjoyment, success, fair play, and cut-throat competition. Because of his cunning as an owner and the distinction with which he served as our commissioner, Craig will absolutely go down in history as one of the greatest participants to ever step foot on the Fantasy gridiron.

Craig had a true gift for writing, and he shared his personal insights about life, love, happiness and, sometimes, football in a weekly message to the league. Funny, touching, sarcastic, and often profound, the blog includes dozens of articles - articles like "A PRIEST, A FISH, AND A COWBOY WALK INTO A BAR," "ELON," and "WHAT IF???” – which have been compiled into the “Book of Craig” to share in perpetuity. 

Last but not least, Craig had a genuine love and respect for others that started with his own family and friends, and he was an example for us all in that regard. The oldest of four children, Craig was the epitome of a big brother. He was always there for his younger brothers, sister, and stepsons who considered him not just a brother or step-father, but also their close friend.  Craig will be greatly missed by his wife Aniko, stepsons Tommy Koranyi and George (Jenny) Koranyi, grandson Josh Koranyi, brother David Smith, sister Amy (Jeff Moody) Smith, sister-in-law Edit, and beloved nieces, nephew, great nephew, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Doug Smith, and nephew Hunter Smith.

A celebration of life will be held for family and friends at the Brass Rail in Weldon Spring, MO, on June 24, 2023, from 1-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to organizations researching Multiple Sclerosis and cancer, such as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at https://www.nationalmssociety… and/or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. 

It is said that in ancient Egypt, on the outside of tomb walls (the façade), there would be a prayer something like this: “Oh passerby, stop and read my name. It causes you nothing but is a blessing.” Please download the Book of Craig (https://bdhammer2288.wixsite.…) and peruse it as you have time to spare.  And send up a short prayer for Craig, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend: May the photos and memories shared here be a blessing to us all and help keep Craig’s happy memory alive in our hearts!    

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