Gainesville Modern

 In Memoriam 

Architect, Craig Salley

Craig Homer Salley, 82, well-known local architect, passed away on May 24, 2021, after a brave battle with cancer and unexpected blindness caused by a medical accident.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents, Mabel and Homer Salley, siblings Richard Salley, Virginia Lee Brooks, and nephew Steve Salley.

Survivors include Craig's significant other, Patricia Kilby; former spouse and mother of his children, Jere Edelstein; sons Brent Salley and Shawn Salley (Victoria); grandsons Nicholas Salley and Daniel Salley; sister Jacqueline Nelson; sister-in-law Marge Salley; nephews Brian Nelson, Eric Nelson, Mark Salley, Christian Salley, Daniel Brooks, and Jay Brooks; and former spouse Irene Salley.

Craig was born on September 28, 1938, in Baltimore, Maryland. At the age of four, he and his family moved to Orlando, Florida. His father, Homer, who had survived the 1918 Flu Pandemic, thought it might help his health to live in the warm Florida climate. He bought a small farm on Goldenrod Road and set about building their home from scratch with Craig and his older sister, Jacqueline, as his labor force. Craig believed that it was learning all the intricacies in building a house which led to his interest in architecture.

He graduated from Boone High School in Orlando in 1956. After several courses at Orlando Junior College, he moved to Gainesville with wife, Jere, and infant son, Brent. In addition to studying architecture at the University of Florida, Craig worked at several jobs, including gaining experience at out-of-town architectural firms. After graduating with a degree in Architecture and Interior Design in 1965, he joined the firm of Arthur E. Campbell, Sr. in Gainesville. Around 1970 he bought out Campbell's firm and began to grow his own practice, Craig Salley and Associates.

Craig made a lasting mark as an outstanding architect statewide, designing buildings for both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College in Alachua County, as well as many major architectural projects in schools and colleges in Gilchrist, Lafayette, Suwannee, Columbia, Baker, Nassau, Union, Bradford, Putnam, and Marion Counties.

In addition to schools, he designed many churches: Trinity United Methodist Church, (the 8th Avenue location), and the Church of the Latter-Day Saints in Gainesville, First Baptist Church of Alachua, and First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach.

Craig believed that his signature buildings were the Florida Farm Bureau, (between Rocky Point Road and I-75), and the Alachua County Judicial Building on E. University Avenue in Gainesville. His clients spoke about his professionalism, his attention to detail, and his high standards of work.

He was grateful for his successful architectural practice of 40 years and all the good people he worked with - clients, vendors, and employees. He treasured many long-lasting friendships from those years.

Craig was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Altrusa International of Gainesville, the Altrusa House Board, the Thomas Center Associates, the Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association, and a University of Florida Alumnus.

He loved his family, his friends, and his church. He enjoyed going fast - flying airplanes, (especially his Beechcraft V-Tailed Bonanza aircraft), sailing and water-skiing, riding motorcycles, and driving Corvette and Mercedes sportscars. He treasured the beach, the mountains, traveling abroad, life in Gainesville, the Thomas Center, fine art, taking long walks and last but not least, his dogs.

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1978 - Former Alachua County Courthouse, now the Alachua County Family and Civil Justice Center,

201 East University Avenue, 

 Gainesville, Florida

1975 - State Farm Building,

Gainesville, Florida