Craig Edward Mason, age 58, passed away Dec. 7, 2016, at his home and surrounded by family and friends. Craig was born in Hagerstown, MD in 1958 and was raised in Fort Wayne, IN and Elkhart, IN. He graduated from Elkhart Central High School in 1976 and earned a Master of Architecture degree from Washington University in St. Louis, MO in 1984.
Craig joined DLR Group in 1988 and was a Principal Architect in that firm since 1997. He was recognized internationally as one of the foremost thought leaders in the design of next-generation schools. As the K-12 sector leader in the firm’s northwest region he served as a senior design team member on numerous school projects across the U.S. Craig was a talented designer and a passionate advocate of educational opportunity for all students. He was the innovative force behind the design of Marysville Getchell High School in Marysville, WA that received the 2011 James D. MacConnell award from the Council of Educational Planners International (Association for Learning Environments), recognized as the most outstanding design award in education. He was active in the professional design community, speaking in national venues and publishing articles about issues and opportunities facing educators and students. In addition, he provided consulting services to Nord Anglia helping to assess how schools across Europe, China, and the Middle East could better respond to evolving educational needs. Craig was loved and respected by his colleagues for his commitment to excellence, his leadership and mentoring, and his infectious and positive passion for work and life.
Craig was an avid long distance runner and marathoner most of his life. He remained competitive to the end, running 2 marathons while battling stage 4 cancer. His amazing endurance and stamina were evident in all aspects of his life. Craig left the world a better place and his inspiration will live on through those that had the privilege to know him.
Craig will be forever loved and missed by his surviving sisters, Andrea (Ted) Taylor of LaPorte, IN, Patrice Mason of Kalamazoo, MI, 3 nieces, and 4 nephews. He is also survived by a large and loving family of friends in Seattle and across the country. His parents Dorothy and James Mason preceded Craig in death.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Seattle Pride Foundation or the Washington University Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts scholarship fund in St. Louis, MO.