Craig Mitchell was a man people didn't always fully understand, and he was okay with that. He could be sarcastic, blunt, and rough around the edges, someone who didn't always get along with everyone. But beneath it all, he had a good heart. He was the kind of person who would give what he had, even when he didn't have much to spare.

He had a natural way of figuring things out. Craig was good with his hands and had a sharp, practical intelligence, able to work through problems, tinker, and make sense of just about anything put in front of him. He often called himself a "jack of all trades, master of none," but those who knew him saw the skill and understanding behind it. No matter what he was doing, he found a way to do it well.

Born Leon Craig Mitchell on May 12, 1965, to Lawrence and Leone Mitchell, he grew up in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, where he was a wrestler in high school, an experience that helped shape the toughness and determination he carried throughout his life. He later attended and graduated from North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton as a machinist. In his younger years, he moved to California, where he built a life with Teri and became a father to Michelle, Jennifer, and Jason. He did what he could to help raise his children and remain part of their lives, even as circumstances changed. After he and Teri separated, Craig spent many years moving between California and Minnesota, always finding his way back to both.

Craig appreciated the simple things, being outdoors, watching people, and quietly taking in the world around him. He had a sharp eye and a dry sense of humor that could catch people off guard. There was a toughness to him, a kind of "big man, little guy" energy, but also a softer side that showed itself in quieter moments.

He faced challenges throughout his life and carried more than most people ever saw. In his later years, as his health changed, he showed a quiet determination to keep going and do things differently, an effort that spoke to a strength not always visible on the surface.

Craig passed away at home in Minnesota on April 15, 2026, after battling oral cancer.

He is survived by his daughter, Michelle and son-in-law, Karo; his stepchildren, Jennifer and Jason; his siblings, Susan and Larry; and his nieces and nephews, Emily, Heather, Haley, Ashley, Michael, Miranda, and Stacia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Leone Mitchell; his brothers, Lynn and Loran; and his niece and nephew, Pam and Tim.

Craig's life wasn't perfect, but it was real. He will be remembered for his sharp wit, his resourcefulness, and the complicated, genuine way he cared for the people in his life.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE : 11:00a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Resurrection Cemetery in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.