Craig Bruce Sanders

How does one begin to describe a man who was so many things to so many people? Craig Bruce Sanders lived his 61 years of life to the fullest, never shying away from an adventure nor surrendering to his weaknesses. His passions always overcame his apprehensions and his kindness overruled his misgivings. Craig left our everyday world on May 13, 2018, and to say he will be missed falls far shy of his impact on the lives of so many. Craig entered this world on September 20, 1956, to the delight of his parents, Giselle and Calvin Sanders and their daughter/his sister Claudette. As a boy Craig was much like the man we would all come to know…always embracing challenges and always challenging others to do the same. Too often people who pass are defined by their career...this was not Craig. He was so much more. Craig had a 30+ year career in land use planning, most of which was with the Butte County Planning Department where he would gain many lifelong friends. What marks Craig's career is not his length of service or collection of accolades, but his belief that people always came first, not policy. That pragmatism was more valuable than dogma. This approach carried with him in jobs with the cities of Oroville and Susanville as well as a private land use consultant. It was his last career stop at the Butte Local Agency Formation Commission that reunited him with old colleagues and best friend. It was from here he had hoped to retire and devote his time to his real passion, photography. The diversity of Craig's many friends is a testimony to his complex interests. Craig was by any measure a seeker of knowledge and a student of creativity. He is perhaps most acknowledged for his incredible photography, but his talents extended to golfing, fly fishing, woodworking, cooking and all things mechanical. There was nothing that Craig could not fix or at least he was never afraid to try. Aside from his many talents, Craig had a passion for the outdoors. For many of his friends Craig will forever be remembered for the many, many camping trips that often included fires that were too big, hammocks that were too high, and food that was so good! Craig enjoyed kayaking in the ocean, hiking in the mountains, cross-country skiing in a blizzard and countless afternoons of disc golf. Some of his favorite places were Philbrook Lake, Colby Meadows, Monterey Bay, eastern Oregon and Death Valley. And for those who knew him well, each and every trip demanded that he take his vehicle on the maximum amount of unpaved roads in search of the most secluded places to set up a tent or take pictures. If a man is judged by his deeds Craig was a rich man, but if man is judged by his heart, he was the richest man. His friends were his family and his kindness was his mark. Craig was the guy who would offer you everything, and ask for nothing. But his greatest measure of love was for his daughter Sara. From the day she was born to the day he departed our lives, there was nothing or anyone who was more important than Sara. If there was ever a regret in his life, it was not being able to spend more time with Sara and in his passing we are certain his greatest sadness would be to leave his daughter without her Dad. Craig will be missed, not because he has passed, but because he was held so dear and life for many of us will not be quite so full. Goodbye friend. For Craig’s friends and family, a celebration of Craig’s life will be on June 3, from 6-8 pm at Chico Women’s Club at 592 East 3rd Street in Chico. Drinks and light snacks will be served. We would like to present a slide show of pictures of Craig from all periods of his life. Please send (by email) pictures you have of Craig to Steve Hackney, also any questions about the celebration can be directed to Steve at [email protected] To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Craig Bruce Sanders, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.