Craig was born on March 27, 1943, in Houston, Texas, to Oscar and Dorothy Cowgill. From an early age, Craig was reared by his mother in Houston’s East End. When Craig was 8 ½, he and 10 neighborhood boys were taken under the wing of the owners of Lenox Barbeque to work and to board over the weekends. Lenox kept these sons of single mothers out of mischief and Craig remained lifelong friends with these early colleagues. For Lenox, Craig peeled onions and potatoes, cleaned, stirred the beans, and tended to the meat, earning $1/hour, and all he could eat and bring home to his mother. Craig continued to work for Lenox, off and on, for over 20 years. In addition, he spent time as a longshoreman on the Houston docks and as a short order cook at a drive-in. These early years of dire need instilled in Craig a lifelong attitude of hustle, survival, and industry. He was never idle and he never failed to provide for his family.
Craig graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School, the University of Houston, and South Texas College of Law. A natural extrovert, Craig hung out his shingle and began his legal career in 1970 in a closet in the Esperson Building where there was no room for both a desk and a client chair. In the beginning, he handled a full docket of traffic tickets for UH students, and bankruptcy referrals from the Lawyer Referral Service. Meanwhile, he sold suits and shirts to attorneys and networked to earn their referrals. He eventually started his own firm and, at different times throughout his career, partnered with Mike Haines, Dick Fuqua, Hon. Eric Andell, Bill Sharp, Joe Hill, Tim Tyler, Karen Emmott, and Mike Holmes, concentrating in bankruptcy and restructuring. In life and in business, Craig strongly believed in the underdog and in second chances. He tirelessly dedicated his 50+ years of law practice to helping countless individuals and companies get a fresh start. Craig urged folks to “make good decisions and get your priorities in order,” a lesson his clients remembered for many years.
Professionally, Craig was admitted to all Federal Courts in Texas and to the Fifth Circuit. He served on the State Bar Grievance Committee, Houston District. Craig was a 22nd degree Mason. His other civic involvements included Houston Rodeo for 45+ years, Sharks R Us Bar-B-Q team, Shriners, Jesters, and Texas Cattleman’s Association. In addition, he was a member of Almeda Baptist Church in his youth, and Second Baptist Church as an adult. When Craig was not practicing law, he was raising cattle and harvesting hay at his ranch.
The highlight of Craig’s life was meeting Carol Leveridge, whom he married in 1979. She was the love of his life. Together, Carol and Craig reared their daughter Katie and son Clay in Katy, Texas. Katie’s children, Craig’s grandchildren, delighted him. Craig’s son worked for several years as a legal assistant in Craig’s practice. In 2019, Carol and Craig followed their adult children to Lexington, Texas, where Craig tried to retire, yet he continued to help clients until shortly before his death. When he was not working, he was socializing at Snow’s Bar-B-Q in Lexington (where his son is pitmaster), or meeting folks for breakfast on Fridays at Herk’s and on Saturdays at Lexington Barn, rituals he rarely missed. Craig always had time to visit with a friend, tell stories, cook his famous shrimp, hunt for a bargain, treasure his family, and relax with Carol in their rockers on their porch. Craig loved hunting and fishing, as his collection of trophy birds from the Central Flyway displays.
He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Dorothy Henderson (who remarried later in life), his father, his step-mother Willie Frances Cowgill. He is survived by his devoted wife, Carol, their son Clay, their daughter Katie Cowgill, and her children Gaige and Elaine Grace.
In memory of Craig, please consider a donation to the Lexington Fire Department/EMS, PO Box 543, Lexington, TX 78947.
A Memorial Service celebrating Craig’s life will be held at a later date to be announced.
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Lexington Fire Department/EMSP.O. Box 543 , Lexington, Texas 78947
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