Craig was called from his earthly life, giving birth to his soul, on January 23, 2015. He was born on December 18, 1958 in Houston, Texas. He moved to Lake Charles in 1964. Craig attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and was a 1976 graduate of Lake Charles High School. He attempted to serve his country in the Army, Navy, and Air Force shortly after graduation, but was unable to do so. For most of his adult life Craig dealt with a challenge faced by 5.7 million adult Americans, bipolar disorder, a form of mental illness. Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability in the country. Due to the stigma associated with mental illness, Craig, like many other adults who suffer from this debilitating disease, engaged in a cycle of being compliant and non-compliant with his medication for this disease. He also cycled in and out of mental health facilities for much of his adult life in efforts to stabilize his condition. Unfortunately, the community mental health system was ill equipped to serve him, often serving as a barrier to his recovery, discharging him before he was stabilized because of the difficulty in managing him when he was actively ill. Despite his illness, Craig regularly prayed, attended mass, religiously read his Bible and said the rosary faithfully.

Craig was extremely intelligent and despite the challenges presented by his illness, he graduated from McNeese State University in 1986 with a bachelor''s degree in Sociology. He continued his education with graduate hours in social work at Louisiana State University. Fluent in Spanish, in 2013, Craig received his teaching certificate from McNeese State University, making him eligible to teach Spanish to grades 6 - 12. He completed his student teaching at Saint Louis High School, receiving excellent reviews from students and the supervising teacher. He loved rock n roll music and when he was able to give to others, he was generous, kind and loving. Many may have a clouded vision of Craig, remembering him when he was sick. Those of us of love him remember and honor all aspects of Craig the good and the bad.

Craig leaves to mourn his memory, his mother, Bertha Simon Johnwell of Lake Charles, LA; Lloyd A. Simon, Sr. of Houston, TX; two sisters, Carmelita Payte of Lake Charles, LA; Dr. Cassandra Simon (Carl Frank) of Tuscaloosa, AL; two brothers, Callixtus Simon of Lake Charles, LA and Carl Simon (Jackie Schaffer) of Minneapolis, MN; six nieces, Shavon (Roumay) Olivier of Walker, LA; Shavela (Ronnie) Harvey of Lake Charles, LA; Shavarra Payte of Lafayette, LA; LeAndra Frank and Fallan Frank of Tuscaloosa, AL and DelBriel Simon of Lake Charles, LA; and one nephew, James Curtis (Racheal) Payte of Lake Charles, LA. Craig is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Curtis and Bessie Pipion; his paternal grandparents, Alcide and Elizabeth Simon, his eldest brother, Lloyd A. Simon, Jr.; brother-in-law, James Payte. Craig also leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, great nieces and nephews and friends.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Service date: January 31, 2015

His funeral will be at 11am, Saturday, January 31, in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery under the direction of Combre Funeral Home. Visitation is from 9-10:40 Saturday morning in Combre Funeral Home.