John Arthur “Jack” Crampton stepped into the arms of Jesus on January 26, 2022. He was 91. His wife and daughter were by his side, and Glenn Miller music was playing.
Jack was born May 19, 1930 in Saginaw, Michigan to Ervin John and Margaret (Ballamy) Crampton. He married Gera Lee Norris on June 17,1955 in Palestine, Texas. They were married for 66 years and had two children.
When Jack was 13 years old, he and his family left Michigan and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a young teenager, Jack began playing drums and by the age of 16, he was playing with bands in dance clubs around Albuquerque. Jack loved Big Band music and would listen intently, picking out each instrumental part. He continued playing drums throughout his life, and still has a drum kit standing at his home.
Jack proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War from 1948 to 1955. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a business degree, while working for Texas Power and Light Company. TP&L would eventually lead the family to McKinney, Texas, which became their permanent home. Jack retired from TP&L, now TXU Energy/Oncor, in 1992.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of McKinney, where he served in numerous capacities, including many years as one of the teachers for the Fellowship Sunday School class.
Jack was a member of the McKinney Lion’s Club for decades and was a past-president. He enjoyed playing golf, as long as he was able. Jack was an avid reader and was a huge Civil War and WWII history buff, reading countless books, and visiting many Civil War battlefields.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, John Gregory “Greg” Crampton; parents; brother, Jay Crampton; sister, Dorothy Cochrane; brother-in-law, Art Cochrane; and nephew, Bruce Cochrane.
Jack is survived by his precious wife, Gera; daughter, Carol Crampton, both of McKinney; along with nieces, Janet Engh, Diane Kaiser, and Nancy Cochrane, all of New Mexico; nephews, Jeff Crampton and Gray Crampton, both of Nevada; and countless close, dear friends.
A come and go visitation will be held on Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., January 31, 2022 in the chapel at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas, 75013
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at First United Methodist Church of McKinney, 315 North Church Street, McKinney, Texas, 75069. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas, 75013.
The family respectfully asks those attending visitation and/or the funeral service to please wear a face mask. The service will be livestreamed at www.sharingtheheart.org/ceremonies/