Dr. John Errol Craig-Porter

John Errol Craig Porter was born in Memphis, Tennessee on October 17, 1955, the third of six children born to Herbert Porter and Beatrice Swearengen Porter. Affectionately known as "Craig", he was his mother's self-proclaimed "favorite child." Craig and his siblings were raised in the close-knit St. Brendan Community on Chicago's south side, where several families formed life long friendships and referred to themselves as "The Five Families."

Craig was a Quigley Preparatory Seminary South graduate and withdraw from Niles Seminary College with the intention of becoming a priest.  After realizing celibacy wasn't for him, he later withdrew from Seminary.

Craig went on to join the Air Force, where he worked with highly classified weapon operations. He was honorably discharged as a Senior Airman in 1978.

As a civilian, Craig worked for Illinois Bell, where he rose through the ranks to the position of Senior Plant Assigner. During his time at Illinois Bell, he began to further his education. He earned his Associates degree at Kennedy King College. He earned his Bachelor's in liberal Arts and a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Education from Chicago State University. He received his second Masters and ultimately his Doctorate in Adult and Continuing Education from Northern Illinois University.

Craig worked at Chicago State University as a professor and with the Board of Governors program, helping other African American students obtain their college degrees until his retirement in 2012.

The only thing to exceed and surpass Craig's passion for education was his love of his family. Craig loved to reminisce about his childhood, often sharing anecdotes about his siblings. To quote one in particular: " I remember my mother leaving for the hospital on April 12th. The last thing my brother and I said was 'no girls.' She didn't even listen to us, because the next evening our father told us that we now had a baby sister. Yes. . . Dornita Marie who would become my personal pain in the neck." Additionally, Craig particular treasured his bond with his cousin, Cecil Moore, whom he referred to as his "Brother-Cousin."

In 1980, he married his first wife Dawn, and to this union, a daughter was born. In his own words, "July 27, 1983 was the proudest moment of my life, for that is when my daughter Dominique Elise was born. . ."

Craig was an authentic Urban Cowboy. His love for all things western was inspired by his grandfather John H. Swearengen, Sr. who was a genuine black cowboy.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. John Errol Craig-Porter, please visit our floral store.