Wilton Jerry Craft, born in Mize, MS, on October 27, 1939, and resident of East Baton Rouge Parish, LA, passed away on Friday, December 1, 2017. After a long battle with Alzheimer’s, an emergency operation, though successful, was too hard for his body of 78 years to handle. He was a 1958 graduate of Gulfport High School in Gulfport, MS. He was in the United States Army from 1959 – 1965 and served in the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, KY. He then transferred to Ft. Bragg, NC, to the 6th Special Forces Group where he was a paratrooper. In 1963, he was recognized as one of the top 100 soldiers in the United States and was honored at a luncheon with President John F. Kennedy while stationed in Germany. He became an insurance adjustor and worked at Traveler’s Insurance Co. from 1967 – 1979. From 1979 – 1985, he was at Credit Thrift Insurance before going to Geico Insurance where he retired in 2003. Daddy had a dry sense of humor with an awesome whit. He had the best smile with the prettiest blue eyes. He loved sitting on the back porch feeding the squirrels and sitting around a fire. Some of his favorite times were at the camp with his Uncle Joe, little Joe, Barry, Jonathon and grandson, Jeremy. He also enjoyed going to the gun and knife shows with his son-in-law, Steven. Before this horrible disease destroyed his memory, he was a great mentor and not to mention, the smartest man we ever knew. He taught us so much about life, family, integrity and more importantly, how to fish. He is survived by his children, Eddie Craft and wife, Jimmie Carol, Sondra Frazier, Tamatha (Tammie) Faul and husband, Robert, Melinda Grace and husband, Steven and his children’s sibling, Tuwanna Harper Hobbs; brother Jack Craft; sisters, Susan Malley and husband, William, and Peggy Eckert; grandchildren, Jeremy Craft and fiancé, Amber Coco, Brandy Tullos and husband, Matthew, Travis Frazier and fiancé, Brian Guess, Ethan Frazier, Mallory Grace; seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence (CW) and Nora Craft; his beloved wife of 52 years, Lana Patricia Allbrook Craft; sister, Barbara Craft Cunningham; brother, Clarence; his favorite Uncle, Joe Craft; and granddaughter, Amanda Craft Olinde. Visitation will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, on Sunday, December 3, 2017, from 5:00PM to 9:00PM. Visitation will resume at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Monday, December 4, 2017, from 10:00AM until the time of funeral services at 12:00PM. Burial will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. John Pemberton will be officiating the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jerry’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association of Baton Rouge, 3003 Old Forge Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808. Pallbearers’ will be Jack Craft, Jeremy Craft, Brandy N. Tullos, Travis Frazier, Ethan Fraizer and Mallory Grace. The family wishes to especially thank Dr. Catalina Negulescu, Dr. Dhaval Adhvaryu and the third floor nurse’s station at the Baton Rouge General on Bluebonnet. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.greenoaksfunerals.com.
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