Local business man Crader left impressive legacy

A local businessman remembered for his faith and love of people died Feb. 23.

Donald "Don" Crader was the CEO of Crader Distributing Co. in Marble Hill, Mo., and Blue Mountain Equipment in McKinney, Texas. Continuing the family business, Crader's company works with more than 2,200 Stihl dealerships and is the exclusive Stihl outdoor power equipment distributor for Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Southern Illinois.

Crader's involvement included being a member of the Gideons and Harmony Congregational Methodist Church. He also supported the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation.

In a letter that appeared as a full-page advertisement in the Southeast Missourian, Stihl Incorporated President Fred J. Whyte remembered Crader as someone "guided by his Christian values. Wise, patient, smart -- genuinely interested in others -- he was humble in success and quick to share its rewards."

Whyte said Crader could have moved his company to a large city, but his commitment to Marble Hill remained and led him to keep Crader Distributing in Southeast Missouri.

Jim Riley, founder of Red Letter Communications, shared with the Southeast Missourian for a recent story that Crader's life is remembered for how he helped others.

"While he built a significant enterprise, I think he measured success in life by what he gave and plowed back into helping others," Riley said. "He was a man of faith, and viewed his life as an incredible blessing and privilege -- he loved his country, he loved the land and people. Most of all he loved his family. I was blessed to know him."

Crader's son Stan wrote an eloquent commentary on his website, www.stancrader.com, that was published in Sunday's Southeast Missourian. If you haven't read this piece, we encourage you to do so. It's a touching tribute and speaks volumes of the kind of man Don Crader was and the many people he touched in his life.

We extend our prayers to God for the Crader family as they mourn the loss of a father, husband and friend.