Craig Douglas Hines is a Marine Corps veteran, devoted father, and seasoned public servant whose life has been defined by resilience, sacrifice, and service. Born in 1968 in Mount Vernon, NY, Craig moved to Plymouth, NC with his mother and younger brother after his parents separated. At just eight years old, Craig survived a tragic train accident that claimed the life of his cousin and left his brother permanently disabled. This life-altering event thrust Craig into the role of caregiver at a young age, shaping his sense of responsibility and compassion.
In search of stability and purpose, Craig enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at 16 with his mother’s consent. After graduating from Hillside High School in Durham, NC, he entered boot camp in 1987. He served honorably with Hotel Battery 3/12 during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, spending most of his deployment in the Kuwaiti desert. Upon returning home, he transitioned to the Marine Reserves and began building a life rooted in family and education.
Throughout the 1990s, Craig married Claudia, with whom he raised three children—Monique, Rakeem, and Jamal. In 1995, he gained legal custody of his brother, continuing to care for him until his passing in 2003 from stomach cancer. During this time, Craig pursued higher education, earning an associate degree in Criminal Justice and a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2000.
After a layoff from IBM in 2007 and the eventual end of his marriage, Craig remained a steady presence in his children’s lives. He joined the City of Durham in 2011 as an accountant, where he has served for over 14 years. His sons graduated from college in 2020 and 2021—milestones that remain among his proudest achievements.
In recent years, Craig has faced serious health challenges, including kidney failure due to high blood pressure. He began dialysis in 2021 and continues to manage his condition with strength and perseverance.
Craig’s life is a testament to enduring love for family, commitment to service, and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
For medically cleared donors, giving the gift of life through living kidney donation has been proven to be very safe. DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery. A healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney and save Craig‘s life with the other!
Your support, whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, can make a profound impact on his life and the life of his family!
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611