Dr. Elson Leroy Craig

Elson L. Craig, M.D. passed away on January 1, 2011 after a brief illness. At the time of his death he was Chief of the Ophthalmic Pathology Division, Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology at The Ohio State University. Dr. Craig was a life¬long resident of Columbus, OH. Preceded in death by beloved mother Emma (Gunther) Craig. Survived by children Joellyn and Carlton, grandchildren Halle and Erica, long-time friends Mike Friedman, Dr. Kwame Osei, James A. White, Sr., and his many colleagues from his 52-year tenure at The Ohio State University. Dr. Craig was a 1st Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 867th Field Artillery, Neckarsulm, Germany 1956-1959. He was the first African American to be elected junior class president in 1964-1965 and graduated from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1966 where he had served as Chief Resident in the Department of Ophthalmology, 1969-70. After completing a Heed Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco 1970-1971, he returned to The Ohio State University where he served as Assistant and Associate Dean for Student Affairs in the OSU College of Medicine with a concentration on minority enrollment. He was a long time consultant at the Veteran's Administration Optometry Clinic, Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center. He was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society, Central Ohio Diabetic Association, Landacre Society, Nu Sigma Nu medical fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and founder and charter member of the National Association of Medical Minority Educators. Memorial donations can be made to the Special Olympics of Delaware County, 1000 Alpha Drive, Delaware, OH 43015, 740-272-2575 or visit http://www.sodcoh.org/docs/forms.asp.