Craig Hanson

Craig Hanson: Visionary. Mentor. Dog Lover. Caregiver. Friend.

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Every great story unfolds in three acts. Craig Hanson’s is no exception. And since he seemed to always like things in 3s, we’ll tell Craig’s story that way: three acts styled with dazzling creativity and compassion; and infinitely beautiful ways he taught us how to live.

Act One: The Dreamer

Craig was born in Harmony, Minnesota, and raised in Chatfield. From an early age, he saw the world differently. While the rest of us filled notebooks with crooked stick figures, Craig drafted dream houses to scale. He was meticulous, precise, and imaginative—curating beauty before he could even pronounce the word.

His heart was just as extraordinary. When Craig was three, his baby sister Teresa was born, and their mother was temporarily unable to hold her after a transfusion led to illness. Tiny Craig stepped in with a seriousness far beyond his years, caring for his sister as though it were second nature. It was the first glimpse of the lifelong compassion he would extend to everyone around him.

At Minneapolis’ Horst Institute, Craig didn’t just learn how to cut hair—he sharpened the editorial eye that became his lifelong signature. He could style a look, yes, but more than that, he had a gift for styling life. He drew people in with kindness and drew beauty out of whatever was in front of him—a face, a room, a moment.

Before working in some of Minneapolis’s most notable salons, Craig opened one of his own, Medusa, because of course he did. Craig challenged convention and dared people to look twice.

Act Two: The Maestro

In 1995, while working at Art + Science in Evanston, Illinois, Craig met the early team that would become his forever family. American Crew became his stage, and he became its creative heartbeat. He joined the brand when it was still finding its footing—and gave it soul.

Craig rose from Educational Director to Artistic Director to Creative Director, and in each role, he left his mark. He taught us that men’s grooming was more than hair—it was culture, identity, storytelling. He choreographed and created entire worlds with his collections—which were always light years ahead but instantly relatable—and led groundbreaking initiatives such as the American Crew All-Star Challenge—widely considered one of the top men’s grooming competitions.

His tastes were eclectic, his humor wicked, his authenticity disarming. His work carried him around the globe, inspiring countless stylists and building a reputation as an innovator whose vision was as sharp as his shears. What people remember most, though, is how he led. Craig mentored with grace, humility, and humor. People wanted to do their best for him because he made them feel proud, seen, celebrated. He was a pioneer who redefined what men’s grooming could be. And not for nothing, Craig was just so much FUN.

Act Three: The Caregiver

By 2014, Craig’s compassion carried him into a new chapter in Denver—the city he ultimately chose to call home—with caregiving. When his uncle Everett—followed by his father, John—needed care, Craig stepped in fully. Everett had been estranged from family and suffering from undiagnosed dementia. Together with Teresa, Craig arranged for all of Everett’s care, and made sure he wasn’t alone. When his father fell ill, Craig flew back to Minnesota regularly for a year to help his mom care for him. He gave both men what he gave everyone in his life: dignity, patience, and love.

Later, he extended that gift to clients with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. Caregiving suited Craig because it was another form of artistry—an expression of empathy and presence. He brought comfort, dignity, and laughter to even the hardest of spaces. Families didn’t just hire Craig—they embraced him as family.

And always, there were the dogs. Craig was never more at peace than when surrounded by his adored four-legged companions over the years: Irving, Cedric, Cheddar, Ute, Maynard, Esther, and Karl. He loved each one fiercely, especially the broken ones he adopted and made whole with his boundless affection.

Even in his final days, Craig drew people to him. Friends flew from across the globe to sit at his side, to laugh one more time at his off-color jokes and to be held in his mischievous gaze. He lived life on his terms until the very end—and we are all the richer for it.

Finale

Craig passed away peacefully on Friday, October 3, at The Denver Hospice. He was preceded in death by his father, John E. Hanson, and is lovingly survived by his mother, Marlyn, and his sister, Teresa (Earl); and a galaxy of family, friends and colleagues who will forever remember him as visionary, prankster, and cultural connoisseur. We take comfort in knowing he is reunited with his dad and all seven of his beloved dogs—no doubt in a place where the chaos is glorious and the charcuterie and cocktails never run dry.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to The Denver Hospice care team, the UCHealth Oncology team, and Jonathan Brody, whose guidance and compassion helped connect us with valuable resources. They also thank the many family and friends who have shared their love and support throughout this difficult journey.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to The Brody Lab at Oregon Health & Science University, which is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of pancreatic cancerEvery gift helps fight this devastating disease and brings hope to others. Donations can be made here: https://givebutter.com/in-honor-of-craig-hanson

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at 240 Saint Paul Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80206.