Neil Crader

ORAN, Mo. -- Donald Neil Crader, 84, of Collierville, Tenn., formerly of Germantown, Tenn., passed away Friday, May 18, 2012, from complications of ALS.

Crader was born in 1927 in Oran, Mo., to Luda Dillingham and Doctor Earl Crader. He spent most of his childhood in Diehlstadt, Mo., and graduated from Diehlstadt High School.

He volunteered to join the Army in June 1945 and served through 1947 in the occupation of Korea with the rank of private first class, Headquarters XXIV Corps.

Neil attended the University of Wyoming and Southeast Missouri State University to earn a bachelor's degree in science of education. He attended Memphis State College to earn a master's degree in education. Neil was an educator at Sherwood High School 30 years.

He was president of Memphis Education Association from 1968 to 1969. He was a charter member of Memphis Area Teachers Credit Union. Neil was an avid fan of St. Louis Cardinals baseball, Memphis State Tiger basketball, and had a passion for American and world history.

Neil was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Phillip Niles Crader.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Crader; a son, Don Crader and wife Marsha, their two children and four grandchildren; and a brother, Dwight Crader of Sikeston, Mo.

The funeral was Monday at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens in Memphis, Tenn.