James Craft

James Craft

James E. Craft, 76, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 9, 1932, in Whitewater, son of the late Horace and Louise Andrews Craft. He and Carol Estes were married Nov. 23, 1957, in Whitewater.

James was a 1951 graduate of Delta High School. He served in the U.S. Army from Feb. 4, 1953, to Dec. 7, 1954.

From 1955 to 1956 he worked for Penzel Construction in Jackson, and for McDonnell-Douglas in St. Louis from 1957 to 1964. He retired from Pipefitters Local 562 in Cape Girardeau in 1995, after 30 years of service.

James was a member of First General Baptist Church in Jackson, where he was an usher a number of years. He was a member of Whitewater Masonic Lodge (receiving his 50-year pin in 2006), a 32nd-Degree Scottish Rite member, a member of the Sword of Bunker Hill and VFW Post 10495 in Jackson.

He enjoyed gardening, golfing and hunting.

Loving survivors include his wife of 51 years; four daughters, Sheila Gehl and Angela Craft of Jackson, Marla (Ken) Fields of Miami, Lori (Adam) Myers of Grassy, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. A Masonic service will be at 7.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Luther Rhodes officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson, with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to First General Baptist Church in Jackson, or the American Cancer Society.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.