Truett Craft

Truett G. Craft was born on February 1, 1936 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Rev. and Mrs. Truett G. Craft. He passed away on December 11, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. He was married to Joyce C. Cleveland. Truett is survived by his wife Joyce C. Craft of Lubbock, Texas, son Grayson Craft and his wife Kimberley of Canadian, Texas, his daughter Sarah Jones of Cypress, Texas and by his son Ty Craft and his wife Sara Craft of Lubbock, Texas. Also, surviving are his grandchildren, Madison Jones, Grace C. Moore and her husband Cody Moore, Tegan Jones, Jack Craft, Benjamin (Ben) Craft, Elly Craft and Auvie Craft.

Truett was a member of the Masonic Order. His membership included the Blue Lodge (3rd Degree), Scottsdale, Arizona, Scottish Rite (32nd Degree), Phoenix, Arizona and York Rite, Scottsdale, Arizona. Additionally, he was a Shriner of the El Zaribe Temple, Phoenix, Arizona. Truett was also a member of the First United Methodist Church.

As the son of a Methodist preacher, Truett grew up all over West Texas never spending more than a few years in any town, a testament to his perseverance and fortitude. He had a special reverence for Lubbock and West Texas. Truett graduated high school in 1953 from Abilene High School in Abilene, Texas. Truett served in the United States Army with special service in the Red Stone Missile Unit being stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, White Sands, New Mexico and Heil Bronn, Germany. Following his tenure in the Military, Truett went on to graduate from Southern Methodist University in 1962 with a B. A. Degree in Biology & Chemistry while receiving a minor in English & Psychology. After college, Truett worked for A.H. Robbins in the pharmaceutical industry from 1962 until 1977, living in Scottsdale, Arizona and West Lake Village, California. While at A.H. Robbins, Truett worked as a salesman, Director and Coordinator of the Rocky Mountain Division (covering 8 states) before finally becoming a District Manager with responsibility for 15 sales territories. Truett was actively involved in the cattle feeding business until 1988. In 1977 Truett moved to Lubbock, Texas embarking on a career in real estate becoming a Land Developer, Home Builder, Utility Contractor and Real Estate Broker. He was a partner in Craft, Elliott & Field doing Land Development with partners J. Larry Elliott and T. Mike Field. Truett was the principal owner of Craft Contracting Corporation (Utility Work), Craft Development Corporation (Land Development), Craft Construction Company (Home Building) and the Christopher Company (Real Estate Brokerage).

Truett was an innovator in the early development of Texas Highway concrete bridge barriers and rural wastewater treatment systems having covered areas ranging from Austin, Amarillo, Pecos and Lubbock, Texas. As a homebuilder, Truett built over 1,000 homes in Lubbock and the surrounding areas. His homes are noted for one of-a-kind design incorporating state-of-the-art construction techniques and architectural design, reflecting special attention to details that make for comfortable luxury homes with timeless appeal. The scope of Truett’s work over the course of his life through the various entities mentioned above involved the following projects / developments in Lubbock, Texas: (i) Farra del Norte, Lots 1-180; (ii) Sagewood, Lots 1-65; (iii) Chaparral, Lots 1-225; (iv) Monterey Park, Lots 1 — 272; (v) Castle Ridge, Lots 1-96; (vi) Westview, Lots 1- 62; (vii) Highland Gardens, Lots 1-160; (viii) Crown Heights; (ix) Lakewood Estates and Villas, Lots 1-650; (x) Lakewood School and Church, Lots 1-85; and (xi) Memphis Gardens, Lots 1-43.

Truett truly loved his family and enjoyed unmercifully taunting his loved ones accompanied with the occasional expletive from time to time. Betty Marie Brandiger and Kathleen Hamilton are testaments to this. He was a true character if there ever was one! Those that really knew him know this to be true. He loved cooking and hunting, but most of all he loved his family and a few close friends who he considered to be family. Truett made an incredible journey through this life and it can be said he taught his children the virtue of perseverance. He conveyed the ability to keep moving forward no matter how difficult the circumstances may be. The one thing he stressed was to “never quit”. Truett was always an advocate for success. He knew how to inspire self-confidence with a “can do attitude”. He never failed to give an encouraging word or advice when needed. When people walked away from Truett, positivity exuded. Truett’s family admired, respected and loved him. He will be dearly missed. God Speed Truett Craft.

A visitation for Truett will be held Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home, 5740 West 19th St, Lubbock, TX 79407.

A funeral service will occur Friday, December 15, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St Lukes, 3708 45th St, Lubbock, TX with burial to follow at Resthaven Memorial Cemetery, 5740 West 19th St, Lubbock, TX

Serving as pallbearers are Jack Craft, Ben Craft, Mitch Elliott, Mike Elliott, James Elliott, Jason Brandiger, and Paul Fioroni.