James Craft

Jim Craft will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

The Great Depression brought many changes to the United States. With the combination of drought, windstorms, and worldwide economic despondency, the government, on a large scale, socialized many programs to help the public during this period of despair. President Roosevelt brought on many programs to help ailing farmers, displaced workers and the elderly. It was a turning point in history in what the people demanded and expected from their government. It was midway through this period that James Harrison Craft was born in Kalamazoo Michigan.

He was born on January 11, 1936, the second son of Kenard and Madeline (Gipson) Craft and grew up in Vicksburg. His father was the proprietor of the town’s first auto body repair shop and young Jim would often be at the shop observing and doing odd jobs. By chance, when he was 12 years old, his father could not finish fixing a car due to an illness; Jim stepped in and completed the job. The responsibility that he showed at an early age gave his father great confidence in Jim. Jim attended Vicksburg schools and like many boys of his age he was interested in both girls and cars. Many Friday and Saturday evenings were spent with his buddies cruising the streets of Vicksburg and Mendon. Jim was also part of the first graduating class from the new Vicksburg High School in 1954.

He married Edna Ross on June 20th 1962. It was his mannerism and personality that first attracted Edna to Jim. As time passed on, these characteristics all seemed to grow even more. He was a kind and loving husband and Father who was very patient. When the children would get sick or needed comforting, it was Jim who was there to help make them better. Jim loved children and was a very nurturing individual. For many years he and Edna cared for foster babies and Jim did his share of the feedings and diaper changing. In total, Jim’s comforting and nurturing personality helped 61 babies over a 12 year period. Jim worked at several jobs throughout his career. He worked mainly in automotive body shops and at one time managed the body shops at the Hayes and Gilmore dealerships in Kalamazoo. There was a period of time when he worked construction and was helping his father build houses. From 1987 until 1998 he worked for Farm Bureau Insurance as an adjuster and most recently at D & A Auto as an estimator. Wherever he worked Jim was a valuable employee because he demanded excellence from his own work. He paid attention to small details that others may not think was important. He had this same attitude for things around the house. When he did a job, he did it until it came out perfect. He was also very neat and organized. Keeping things in place made him feel good and helped him work more efficiently.

Fishing was a favorite past time of Jim’s. He spent numerous hours on Austin Lake and other local fishing holes trying to land the big one. In the wintertime he and Edna would go up north to go snowmobiling. He was not one to sit idle and let life pass him by, for he was always on the move.

Of all the great traits that Jim had, it was his love and dedication to his family that will be most remembered and cherished. He was always there for his children as when they were both kids and adults. From words of encouragement to helping with their children, he was the family patriarch. He was a role model by the life that he lived. One of his favorite sayings was “ If you can’t say something good about someone, don’t say anything.” He lived this saying and expected his family to do the same. He always put the needs of others first and even in his last few days, when he was suffering; he kept their spirits up with his always-positive outlook on life. Jim died on Sunday, May 11, 2003 at his home with his family by his side.

His family includes his wife Edna, 4 children: Connie and Bryan Tomlinson of Portage, Nanette and Shelly Sperry of Scotts, Tim and Cara Craft of Decatur, Donna and Garry Sanderson of Paw Paw, 12 grandchildren: Cara, Ashley, Jeremy, Derick, Jackie, Timmy, Angel, Sean, Krissy, Brock, Maria, and Alayna, a great grand son Tyler, a brother Ed and Linda Craft of Lawton and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

His family will meet friends on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall and Gren Funeral Home, Vicksburg Chapel where his Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am on Wednesday. To read Jim’s life story, share a memory, make a donation to Three Rivers Hospital Hospice or Catholic Family Services or order flowers, please visit his personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com.