George Wade Crafton Jr.

Menifee, CA

George Wade Crafton, Jr, 91 years old, passed away on January 10, 2024. George was born on August 29, 1932 in McLennan County, Texas to his father George Wade Crafton and mother Pearl Anna Stein. The family moved to California where he was raised in El Segundo, California. He attended El Segundo High School where he played football and enjoyed fixing cars. He was drafted into the army and served as an aircraft mechanic. After completing his army duty, George returned to California to attend El Camino College where he obtained his Associate Arts Degree. He married his first wife, Gail Ann Rachlow and was blessed with two sons, Keith David and Michael Alan. George went on to work for Standard Oil Refinery. He would later return to trade school to learn electronic repairs and became an accomplished television/appliance repair technician and would later work for General Electric Corporation. He raised his family in Lawndale, California. George and Gail were married 38 years before her passing on December 14, 1992. They had a beautiful life together supporting their sons, family car vacations and an avid fisherman.

George met his second wife, Mary Lou Keshen in Long Beach, California. They relocated to Sun City, California to enjoy the retirement community. Upon retirement from General Electric in 1995, George and Mary Lou would travel the country in their motorcoach. They traveled coast to coast visiting family and friends while enjoying all the sights of the United States. He became a “rock hound” and would become an accomplished lapidarist. They also spent time traveling the world with family and friends. Upon Mary Lou’s passing on January 15, 2022, George relocate to a senior living community in Sun City. He enjoyed spending time with friends in Sun City, loved driving his golf cart to the Sun City Senior Community Center and indulging in his lapidary work.

George Wade Crafton was predeceased by his parents, wife’s, son Michael Alan and brother Clifford Crafton. He is survived by his son, Keith David Crafton; daughter-in-law Ann Crafton; his two grand-children Christine Brown and Brittany Martin; and his great-grandchildren, Makaela Ann Martin, Logan Matthew Martin and Colin Michael Brown, as well as friends and acquaintances with whom he left a lasting impression.

George Wade Crafton Jr will be missed, but not forgotten.