Gary A. Craft Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

(Born February 11, 1939, Jenkins, KY- Died July 11, 2022, Turnersville, NJ) Gary Allen Craft, 83, departed peacefully in his sleep following a brief acute illness. Predeceased by his parents, Ulysses Simpson Fitzhugh Craft and Bernice Floreine Craft (nee Spradling), his sister, Jana Lee Craft Pritchard, and his niece, Winniece Pritchard Kotrosa. Lovingly survived by his wife, Joan Eckardt Craft (nee O’Connell), his daughters, Katherin Craft Lawson (husband, William Lawson) and Kimberly Craft Stults (husband, Bryan Stults), his former wife, Glenda Sexton Craft Erickson, his stepson Karl Eckardt (Pattie Simpkins), his sister, Peggy Craft Hall (Sandra Riley), his grandson Nathaniel (Nate) Craft (wife Jadzia Biddle Craft). Also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law: the late Paul O’Connell, Jr. (Deborah, surviving), John O’Connell (Karen), Teresa Locicero (Donald), Rita Sweeten (Larry Sr.), Leo O’Connell, Kathleen Maurice (Paul). Several nieces and nephews (and their spouses): Marsha Lee (Kim Austin), Derron, Gregory (Carol), Erin (Ed), Christopher (Courtney), Donna Leah (Joseph), Vincent (Samantha), Kevin (Rachel), the late Ashley, Larry Jr. (Stacey), Allison (Alex). Numerous great nieces/great nephews: Damien (Thuy Kim), Adreann, Kristen (Robert), Chavaleh (Phillip), Adam (Julina), Ryan, Dylan, Brayden, Joseph, Daniel, Andrew, Molly, Dominic, Elle, Calvin, Robert, Larry III, Isla. Gary enjoyed gardening, reading, music, (played saxophone in high school and jazz bands), sci-fi, history, genealogy, yard sales, flea markets, travel, home improvement projects, a good steak and BBQ ribs, the company of dear friends and family. He and Joan shared almost 28 wonderful years together and were to celebrate 25 years of marriage in September 2022. From his teen years in his dad’s lumberyard in Kentucky and throughout his long career, Gary worked in the construction industry. He trained for four years as a plumber’s apprentice with Bethlehem Steel, Sparrows Point, Baltimore, Maryland. Over the years, Gary traveled extensively for private contractors and as a civilian government employee, did stints in Alaska, Greenland, Germany, Arizona, New York, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Gary spent 26 years as Director of Project Engineering at Cooper University Hospital. His department was responsible for many site-specific designs, building, renovation projects within the Cooper complex in Camden, NJ, and outside medical offices. To leave remembrances, pictures, etc., visit site for Earle Funeral Home at: www.earlefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Samaritan Hospice, or to a charity of your choice. Gary’s Celebration of Life will be Saturday, July 30, 2022, 11:00 AM -12:30 PM at Earle Funeral Home, 122 W. Church Street, Blackwood, NJ, where memories will be shared at 12:30 PM. The family requests that masks be worn as appropriate. Interment of ashes for Gary and his sister, Jana Lee, will be private in the Craft Family Plot of the Webb Cemetery in Mayking, Kentucky at a later date. **

Gary A. Craft

February 11, 1939 - July 11, 2022