Marion Jr. Craft

Marion Jr. Craft, age 84, of Benton, passed away Tuesday morning September 4, 2012. He was born September 7, 1927 in Lonsdale, Arkansas to Sophia Josephine (Cash) Craft and Francis Marion Craft. Jr. is preceded in death by both parents; four brothers, Elmer Newton, William Francis, Marion Gilbert and Woodrow Wilson and five sisters, Flora Mae Tate, Ruth Noma Kyle, Minnie Victory Burkett, Lillace Geneva and Ruby Juanita. He entered the Army in February of 1946 where he did his basics at Boot Camp Crower near Neosho, Missouri (South of Joplin, Missouri). After basic training, he went home for 20 days until June 1, 1946 when he traveled by train to Seattle, Washington where he was stationed. Early one morning with full field pack, they hiked to (must have been near San Francisco) through a gate that read, "World's Best Dam Soldiers Walked Through This Gate". Jr. left there on a ship, went under the Golden Gate Bridge and said "I never crossed the Golden Gate Bridge but I did go under it." Twelve days later the ship arrived in Japan on July 5 just outside of Tokyo. He spent 5 to 6 months in Tokyo where he attended cable splicing school. After training, he was transferred to a base in Yokohama where he was in the 3186th Signal Battalion and also worked in the E-men Club. Jr. was discharged on July 16, 1947 after achieving the rank of P5-Corporal. Upon moving home to Benton, he worked for Jones Furniture for 13 years, Curtis Mathis for 9 years and Sherwood Furniture for 11 years. Jr. never drove a car. He walked everywhere he went, unless he was fortunate enough to get a ride. Jr. would make his rounds through town stopping at the Court House, Sheriffs Office, Safeway and Wal-Mart visiting with all his friends that he held in such high esteem. He was baptized by the authority of Fairplay Missionary Baptist Church on April of 1968 by Bro. Joe Harper in a round hole located in Gourdneck Road. Jr. taught Baptist Training Classes. He has been a lifelong member of the church and attended regularly until his health prevented him from going. Jr. also served on the Fairplay Cemetery Committee for 37 years. He is survived by many nieces and nephews who have helped him out through the years and will remember him with fond memories. Pallbearers will be Jarred Donnor, Jonathan Donnor, Rodney Asbury and Josh Asbury. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 5 at Ashby Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 3 p.m., Thursday, September 6 at Fairplay Missionary Baptist Church with burial at Fairplay Cemetery. Bro. Curtis Kyle and Bro. Kenneth Mitchell will be officiating. On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.