Charles P. Craig

Charles P. Craig was born February 8, 1920 , in Charlotte, North Carolina. The son of the late, Lillie Mae-Craig-Jackson, Charles departed this life on March 3, 2017 at the blessed age of 97. He was the brother of the late William Craig and Johnnie Mae Purnell. Charles received his education in the Baltimore City Public School System. He married the late Gertrude E. Craig. Charles fathered eight children and two step daughters. He is preceded in death by two sons, Charles B. Craig, Reginald Craig, two daughters Shirley A. Phillips, June D. Carey and one step daughter, Tammie A. Craig. Charles leaves to mourn two daughters Barbara A. Craig, Deborah Craig and two sons Steven Lawson, Gregory Lawson, one step daughter Phyllis Sorillo and one daughter-in-law, Erma S. Craig. Charles has eighteen grandchildren, twenty one great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. In 1927, Charles wanted to play the drums. He was receiving lessons from a gentleman in the neighborhood who owned his own shoe shine business. Charles was fascinated by the skills the gentleman exhibited popping the shoe shine rag and making it sound like a drumbeat. After many hours of practice, Charles mastered the technique that his mentor had taught him. That skill became a desire that he would be the best shoe shine man and own his own business. At age 16, Charles came to Baltimore following his brother and his uncle. Charles enlisted in the Navy during World War II. Upon returning to the States, he became an entrepreneur. He also worked in the shipyard as a longshoreman. During the 1960's he was able to obtain his own business. Charles first store was located on Pennsylvania Avenue. He also had a business in the Inner Harbor and managed Faders Tobacco Shop located in downtown Baltimore. His clientele consisted of lawyers, detectives, doctors and judges, who were loyal customers for many years. Charles's style and flair got him noticed and he was offered the chance to travel to Las Vegas, NV at the MGM Grand Hotel during their opening shining shoes in the lobby. Charles had stated that as teenager, he was taunted by class bullies because of his height and bow legs. But he soon faced the bully serving him a left-upper punch to his chin knocking him down. It was from that day on Charles earned the nickname "Butch". There were many stories told by Butch of the more than fifty years he spent on Pennsylvania Avenue in the heart of Baltimore City and earned the title "BUTCH THE SHOE SHINE KING". Charles's entertaining technique of shining shoes lead him to be featured in the Baltimore Sun newspaper and he appeared on Baltimore's TV talk show called "People Are Talking" with hosts Oprah Winfrey and Richard Shear on WBAL TV. Charles was invited and went to Las Vegas, NV. to perform his shoe shining technique. Charles was also invited to Japan. Butch is loved by his family and friends. He will be missed but we will meet him on the other side.

Tributes

Charles P. Craig

February 8, 1920 - March 3, 2017