Joe C.

Craft

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Joe C. Craft

Jul 18 1942 - Apr 28 2017

Joe C. Craft, 74, passed away on April 28, 2017, in Frisco, Texas. Joe was born on July 18, 1942, to Reverend Grover Cleveland and Laura Bach Craft in Gauge, Breathitt County, Kentucky.

A graduate of Menifee County High School in 1960, Joe enlisted in the U.S Army immediately afterward and was stationed in West Germany where he served with distinction from 1960-1963.

After his service, Joe attended Morehead State University where he met and married Lida "Tipton" Craft on April 17, 1965, in Mt. Sterling, KY.  The happily married couple celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary shortly before Joe passed.

Joe left the university to raise his family but returned later to Morehead State and earned his bachelor's degree and his M.B.A

Joe enjoyed a forty-year career in the automotive and manufacturing industry where he worked for Piper Aircraft in Florida and A.O. Smith, The Budd Company, Challenger Lifts, and finally Vascor Ltd in Kentucky.  He retired from Vascor in 2009 as Vice President of Human Resources and Operations.

Joe enjoyed his retirement indulging in this two favorite pastimes: playing golf and doting on his grandchildren.  In 2016, he followed his children and grandchildren to Texas where he spent the last year living close to his beloved family.

Joe was active in his local churches throughout his life. He belonged to several Baptist and Presbyterian churches in Kentucky, Florida, and Texas.

Joe is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lida Craft of Frisco, TX; son, Michael Craft of Frisco, TX; daughter, Tiffany Ballard and husband, Tom Ballard of Prosper, TX; grandchildren, Whitney and Jack Ballard; brother, Charles Craft and wife, Annette of Shelbyville, IN; sister, Betty Craft of Stanton, KY; sister-in-law, Helen Craft of Greensburg, IN, and 14 nieces and nephews.

Joe is preceded in death his son Steven Craft, brother Mark Craft, his nephew Ryland Burr, and his parents Grover and Laura Craft.

Joe's last wishes insisted on a celebration of life rather than a traditional funeral. In light of this request, an event has been scheduled for July 18, 2017 (on what would have been his 75th birthday) from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Indian Creek Golf Course and Restaurant in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky

Instead of flowers, the family asks those wishing to donate to The Steven Whitney Craft Memorial Fund through the Montgomery County FFA department care of Jeffery Arnett.  Mr. Arnett can be reached at jeffery.arnett@montgomery.kyschools.us

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