Frederick R. Craft, '60

Fredrick "Fred" Randolph Craft, Sr., 77, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, August 18, 2019 with his loving family by his side. Fred was born in Huntington, West Virginia and is the son of the late Jess Craft and Betty Reynolds Craft Lee.
 

Fred retired from Allied Signal, Rocky Mount, North Carolina and after retiring, he worked for Gaston County School as a School Bus Driver/Custodian. He was a 5 Time North Carolina Senior Weight Lift Champion in the mid 90's. He was a member of the Concerned Biker Association.
 

He was a former High School Football Coach in Wilson, North Carolina and former Strength Coach for South Point High School during their 2003 State Championship Season. He loved wrestling and also trained Greyhound Racing Dogs. He found joy in putting smiles on children's faces while playing Santa Claus in Gaston County for years. Fred was a member of Maranatha Church of God, where he was a member of the Men's Fellowship. He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother.
 

Fred is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Charleen Finchum Waters Craft; loving son, Fredrick Randolph "Randy" Craft, Jr.; two loving step-sons, Gary Waters (Lynne), Nelson Waters; loving step-daughter, Miriam Bilger(Bob) ; half brother, Charles Lee (Miriam); two half sisters, Flora Jean Webb (Bill), Donna Lee; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and his three furry companions, "Boots", "Buddy", "Missy".
 

Mr. Craft was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Candie Yvonne Craft; three sisters, Josephine Chadwick, Gertrude Elliott, Sandra Beasley.