John Bently Crain was born August 9, 1934 to John Joseph and Florence Helen (Smith) Crain of Cooperstown, NY. John was the big brother to five siblings; Joyce (Dee Dee), Richard, Patsy, Bill, and Florence. He attended Cooperstown High School, Class of 1952. After high school, John enlisted in the US Air Force. He spent time at Sampson Air Force Base in Seneca Lake, NY before attending training at Lowry AFB in 1954, specializing in Control System Mechanics. He received a college level GED for his studies which prepared him for work with the 69th Tactical Squadron. John spent four years working on the Matador Nuclear Missile also known as the B61. He spent time at Hahn and Ramstein AFB’s and Baumholder Army Base in Germany before being honorably discharged on March 11, 1957. He served in the Air Force Reserves until April 1, 1961. During his military career, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, The Good Conduct Medal and The Army Occupation Medal.
After returning stateside, John secured employment with General Electric as an electrical engineer. He also continued his education at Syracuse University where he met his first wife, Patricia R. (Wiegand) Fairchild. Married May 24th, 1958, they had four of their five children; Debbie, John II (Chip), Stacy and Patrick while living in Syracuse. In 1963, John took a transfer to Phoenix where their fifth child; Stephanie was born.
During the Viet Nam War, John volunteered as a radio operator for the MARS radio network sponsored by Barry Goldwater. Working closely with Senator Goldwater, John transferred telephone messages from Viet Nam to husbands and wives of the servicemen overseas.
In the late 70s, Honeywell purchased the GE Plant in Phoenix. While working at Honeywell John met the love of his life, Thelma Louise Spaulding. They were married on April 29th, 1989. John welcomed two more adult children to his life; Lois and Jeffrey.
An avid hiker, skier, and Z Car Club enthusiast, John also loved flying and earned his pilot’s license. He and his Rockwell Commander; N76CR spent many hours flying around the state with Louise as co-pilot.
John enjoyed giving back to the community and for many years worked with the Knights of Columbus on the St. John’s Indian reservation. John would also assist the local diocese in preparing and shipping supplies to the orphanages in Nogales, Mexico. While John was always giving back to the community, he never lost his love and dedication to his country, and his most proud volunteer efforts were spent with the Sea Cadets as a lieutenant under the watchful eye of Wanda A. Sartain, his commanding officer. While Louise procured and altered uniforms, John mentored, trained and instilled his patriotic values in each of his cadets.
John is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Thelma Louise Spaulding, five children; Debbie Doss of Carlsbad, NM, John Crain II (Chip) of Oceanside, CA, Stacia Hill of Peoria, AZ, Patrick (Wendy) Crain of Prescott, AZ, and Stephanie (Kevin) Risser of Phoenix, AZ. Two step-children; Lois (Bob) White of Glendale, AZ, and Jeffrey Spaulding of Phoenix, AZ. Grandchildren Jennifer, Jessica, Julia (Scott), Jacquelyn (Lee), Jonathan, Nicole (Mike), Jolene (Sage), Alexis (Pete), Diana, Jacob (Emma), Justin, Randy (Teal), Rachel (Jesse), Becca, Allison, Ethan, and step-grandchild Craig. Great grandchildren; Faith, Grace, Alaina, Dylan, Kylie, Chase, Ashlyn, Emily, Abby, Logan, Caius, Ethan, Camden, Issac, Gabriel, Austin, Audrey, Zoe, Avery, Destiny, Maverick, and Sawyer. Step great-grandchild; Michael. John is also survived by sister Joyce of Bedford, NH, Patsy of Memphis, TN, Bill (Sally) Elizabethtown, NY, and many nieces and nephews, including Lorie (Sam) of Lake George, NY.
Predeceased by his mother Florence, father John, nephew Mike, grandson Billy, sister Florence, twin granddaughters, great grandson Bradley, nephew Keith, brother Richard, and nephew Tim.
Celebration of Life will be held at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, AZ. 85301, on Saturday November 3rd, 2018 at 2:00 PM. His final interment will be at Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, NY at a time to be determined.
