Craig Thomson Handley, age 74, of Afton, VA passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Born on March 27, 1951, in Fort Worth, Texas, he was the son of the late Rolland and Marilyn (Thomson) Handley. He spent much of his life in Webster County, WVA, and Albemarle County, VA where he worked as a homesteader, skilled carpenter, contractor, and woodsman.

Craig was an extremely intelligent man with an unmatched wit and sense of humor. He possessed a heart big enough to carry the world in it, particularly the people, animals, and ideas he loved. He was a well-read frontier and family history buff and also enjoyed Appalachian and Russian literature; he appreciated writers and thinkers such as Shelby Foote, James Alexander Thom, Fyodor Dostoievsky, and Harry M. Caudill (Night Comes to the Cumberlands). Craig possessed a deep wealth of knowledge of local flora and fauna and always carried with him the spirit of the woodsman, the techniques of which he shared with his family and those who surrounded him. He was a skilled artist and craftsman with a special ability to visualize and bring to life his ideas, both on paper and in construction and the world around him. Craig loved baseball, a sport for which he possessed special knowledge and talent and passed the love for the game on to his sons. Craig ran his own business, Leatherwood Construction, as a residential contractor for more than 25 years, building high-end residential homes across the Central Virginia region. Craig was a gregarious man who enjoyed the company of his many friends and acquaintances.

Above all, he was a father. Craig loved his sons deeply and took pride in them, offering his care, guidance, and presence in ways that shaped who they became. His role as a father was central to his life and identity. The bond he had with both of his sons was transcendent and he served not only as a father, but also as a friend and confidant to them.

He was preceded in death by his parents Rolland Brubaker Handley and Marilyn Thomson Handley, and brother Clay Rolland Handley.

He is survived by his sons, Cameron (Emily) Handley and Caleb Handley; and by Kelsie Shifflett, a cherished companion in his later years, whom he affectionately referred to as the "daughter he never had." He is also survived by his former spouse, Nancy (Dunlap) Handley, and granddaughters Willow Handley and Lana Handley; sisters Chris Yardley (late husband Roland Yardley), Zane (Roy Heinlen) Handley.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Groves-Mann Funeral Home in Union, WV. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery in Union, WV. Visitation will be held from 12:00PM until time of services on Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Green Hill Cemetery in Union, WV.

He will be remembered with love, respect, and gratitude by those who knew him.

Those wishing to send online condolences or would like to sign the online guestbook, please do so by visiting www.groves-mann.com. Arrangements by Groves-Mann Funeral Home, Union, WV.