Junior Craft

Neely's Landing, Mo. -- Junior Craft, 83, of Neely's Landing passed away Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born June 29, 1922, in Neely's Landing, the youngest son of Hiram and Julia Brown Craft. He and Laura Etta Medlock were married June 25, 1948, at New Bethel Baptist Church. She passed away Jan. 7, 2003.

Junior was a graduate of Jackson High School. On Oct. 2, 1942, he was inducted into the Army Air Corps and was based at Modlosham Air Field in England until his airplane was shot down returning from a bombing mission over the European mainland on June 7, 1944, He was severely burned and spent the next 18 months recovering at home. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 16, 1946.

After returning home from service, he moved to Oak Ridge, where he started a career in farming while taking agriculture classes sponsored by the government. He also worked at Heuer Implement Company in Cape Girardeau and later for the former Lan Massey-Harris Dealership in Old Appleton, Mo. In 1955, Junior returned to the Neely's Landing community and from 1957-1961 he worked construction in St. Louis. Junior owned and operated the Craft Logging Company from 1963 through 1986 and he continued as a timber buyer until failing health. He also operated a cattle farm for many years. Junior was a life member of the New Bethel Baptist Church and was active in the former Neely's Mission. He was also an ordained deacon, a Sunday school teacher, had served on many committees and had been instrumental in organizing the New Bethel Cemetery.

Loving survivors include two sons, Dwight Craft and wife Cathy of Neely's Landing, and Fred Craft and wife Julia of Fruitland; two daughters, Pam Henderson of Neely's Landing and Sheila Barks and husband Steven of White Rock, N.M.; a brother, Harlan Craft of St. Ann, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Eric, Joshua, Rachel, Caleb, Thomas, Trisha and Travis; and a great-grandson, Nick Palen.

He was preceded in death by five brothers and seven sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson and after 10 p.m. Wednesday at New Bethel Baptist Church.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church with the Rev. John Rhodes and Thomas Bray officiating. Burial will be in New Bethel Baptist Cemetery with graveside military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the New Bethel Cemetery or the New Bethel Library Fund.