Bruce D. Craft

Bruce D. Craft, 76, of Glendale, Arizona, passed away on September 12, 2022. Bruce moved to Arizona from his Richmond, Indiana, hometown in the fall of 1975 with his wife Mary Lou and daughter Wendy. He loved living in the desert and got the idea from his aunt Louise Kamp who previously had made a trip to the Grand Canyon State.

Bruce grew up in a busy household with two older brothers, Carl C. Craft (deceased) and Roger J. Craft (deceased), and two younger sisters, Christine Craft and Barbara Craft. His father, Fred Craft, was a diligent worker who held many jobs at once to support his large family. Growing up, Bruce was close with his brother Roger, Christine, and Barbara, and his mother Earla Craft, whom he helped with constant cooking and housework. He was an altar boy in the Catholic church, the operational manager and cook at the family’s diner and store, and a longtime paperboy.

He attended Indiana University to study journalism as his older brother Carl was a longtime employee and later bureau chief with the Associated Press. Bruce would tell stories about being a media runner while Carl covered the Indianapolis 500 from the infield. Very few years Bruce missed the televised race and sang “Back Home Again in Indiana” along with Jim Nabors.

Bruce married Mary Lou Johnson in the winter of 1966. Their relationship and 55-year marriage began on a blind date. Mary Lou remarked that not only was Bruce handsome and tall but very sharp and made her laugh with his quick wit.

Bruce was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and served with the 25th Infantry Division — Tropic Lightning. He underwent basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. His experience in the kitchen did not go unnoticed and provided him the option to cook for the soldiers who were Vietnam-bound. He turned down the offer because he said it would be too difficult to face and serve the men he knew might not survive; instead, he boarded the C-130 with them. He was wounded in combat on April 28, 1968, when he stepped on a landmine. He was honorably discharged from the Army in December 1968.

Despite the injuries that limited his physical abilities, he never complained. He was proud to have served his country. After the war, Bruce enjoyed his life and liked to cook, read, and talk for hours with his brother Carl about politics and pop culture. He later sang tenor in the church choir with his wife Mary Lou. Bruce doted on his daughter Wendy with whom he remained in a close relationship as an adult.

Bruce is survived by his wife Mary Lou Craft, daughter Wendy M. Craft, sisters Christine Craft and Barbara Craft, sisters-in-law Darice Craft and Peggy Craft, cousins, nieces, and nephews.