Denis R. Craft
Dr. DENIS R. CRAFT, a loving husband and father, who served in the ministry of the United Methodist Church for 40 years, died peacefully on August 4, 2013. He was born in Spokane, WA on April 1, 1937, and soon after his family moved to Friant, CA, where his Dad was in charge of the construction of Friant Dam near Fresno. He attended grade school in Roswell, NM and Amarillo, TX through junior high. In 1951 he moved to West Plains, MO and graduated from West Plains, MO High School in 1955. He attended the Univ. of Missouri at Columbia, where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and Block and Bridle. He graduated from Arkansas State College in Jonesboro, AR in 1961 with a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Biology, where he was the R.O.T.C. outstanding cadet. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt U.S.A.R. Branch Infantry. After honorary discharge, he moved to Dallas, TX and enrolled in Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University where he received his Masters in Theology. While in Dallas at SMU, he met and married Sondra Sue “Sue” Austin on 23 Jun 1963 in Lamar, MO. He served multiple churches in the Dallas area before moving with his family to Missouri where he served as head pastor of St. James UMC, in Joplin, MO, First United Methodist Church in Sedalia, MO, Schweitzer UMC in Springfield, MO, Grandview UMC and St. John’s UMC, both in Kansas City. In 1990, he received his Doctorate of Ministry from SMU. He retired in 2000 and moved to a farm South of West Plains, MO. He was the State President of the Missouri Society of the Sons Of The American Revolution, the President of Ozark Mountain Chapter of SAR, president of the Kansas City South Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, was awarded the B.S.A. Silver Beaver Award, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Grandview Chamber of Commerce, the Ozark Methodist Manor, and the Methodist Benevolences.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sue Craft, his son Matthew and his wife Jennifer, and two grandsons Charlie and Billy, all of Dallas.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, August 8th at 2:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in West Plains, MO, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at the Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church, West Plains, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mary Lou Terril
August 6, 2013 @ 3:53 pm
Dear Sue,
My deepest sympathy to you and family on the passing of Denis. He was so much help
and consolation to Ryan & I when our Greg passed so long ago. You both were so good to us and we cherrish our memories of church and high school activities together at that time. May God grant you confort (as he will). Love to you. Mary Lou
Dirk A. Stapleton
August 6, 2013 @ 9:11 pm
The Harry S. Truman Chapter was deeply saddened this week, to hear of the passing of Compatriot Denis R. Craft.
Compatriot Craft’s service to the Missouri Society Sons of the American Revolution reflects distinct credit upon himself, and his desire to preserve the memory of his patriot ancestor who assisted in establishing American Independence.
We wish to express our deepest sympathy during this time of loss to his family. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Respectfully,
Dirk A. Stapleton, Honorary Vice-President
Harry S. Truman Chapter
MOSSAR
Bill and Jo (Fernimen) Walker
August 7, 2013 @ 6:24 am
My sincerest sympathy to the family. Denis and I graduated together from West Plains High School. He was a caring, intelligent, fun loving person. I know he will be missed. God’s blessings on the family.
Bob in Grandview, Missouri
August 7, 2013 @ 9:15 am
I am grateful for the life of Mr. Craft. Thanks to his service and to the service of others in our armed forces, my family and I have been able to lead our lives in freedom and peace.
Jennifer Welsh Taylor
August 7, 2013 @ 9:26 am
Matt,
So sorry to hear about your dad. I remember his warm smile and how much he enjoyed when we were all hanging out at your house…what a good dad! I wish I wasn’t so far away…I’ll be praying for you and your family!
Miss you,
Jennifer
Diane (Hilton) Wirthwein
August 7, 2013 @ 12:23 pm
Matt,
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I truly enjoyed growing up with him as my pastor. Just seeing his picture brought a smile to my face. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Diane
Jack and Martha Highfill
August 7, 2013 @ 2:02 pm
Sue and Matt,
So sorry to hear of Dennis passing. We had some good time together. Martha and were talking about what Dennis called her white Camero. Wish we could be there. You are in our prayers.
God Bless
Jack & Martha
The Sehie Family
August 7, 2013 @ 2:03 pm
Wishing you our deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love and Hugs, The Sehie Family
Wanda Gregory
August 7, 2013 @ 3:17 pm
Sue,
So sorry to hear about Denis. If there is anything that I can do for you please feel free to let me know. We will all miss his smilling face. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Your sub mail carrier
Wanda
Kelly Mcguinn Daly
August 7, 2013 @ 5:40 pm
Matt,
So sorry to hear about your dad. He was such a great man. My thoughts and prayers are with your mom and your family.
Love,
Kelly
Sharyl Sanderson Smith
August 7, 2013 @ 7:52 pm
Saddened to hear of Rev. Craft’s passing. I grew up in Grandview United Methodist Church and was blessed to have Rev. Craft officiate at my wedding there almost 30 years ago. HIs kindness and loving support as we prepared to marry all those years ago has certainly served us well. Thanks for his service to the church for all those years and the sacrifices his family made while serving with him. Prayers to Sue and Matt and family.
Ann and Joe Aid
August 7, 2013 @ 9:25 pm
Good by for now dear friend. We have sweet memories of good conversations while sharing good food. You helped to make Methodists out of an Episcopalian and a Baptist. As well as being an outstanding pastor you were a outstanding zizzer. You will be missed, but eternally loved.
Anissa Douglas (Bass)
August 7, 2013 @ 11:05 pm
Dear Sue & Matt:
So terribly sorry to hear about Denis. My family attended First UMC in Sedalia, Mo when he was a pastor there and my family would get together with yours. I still remember you and your family. Praying for peace and comfort for all of you.
Anissa Douglas (Bass)
Hubert Neth
August 8, 2013 @ 9:56 am
Sue,
I have so many good memories and will always be thankful for ways you and Denis have touched my life. Please be kind to yourself now.
Bill :& Susan Latimer
August 8, 2013 @ 2:54 pm
Dear Sue & Matt
Susan and I were so sorry to read about Denis death. We knew Denis first as my predecessor as president of KC South Rotary and as a Paul Harris Fellow, and always as a treasured friend. Both of you are in our prayers.
Sincerely
Bill and Susan
Dottie Novak
August 9, 2013 @ 12:15 am
Sue,
So sorry to read about your husbands passing. I don’t usually check every obituary in the KC Star, but Denis’ smiling face immediately caught my attention. It’s been a long time, but you are one of my favorite folks from my years at KCK Public Schools. Please accept my sincere sympathy at the loss of your loving husband of 50 years. I have been a widow almost 10 years I know your pain, my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Dottie
Jerry Shaw
August 9, 2013 @ 10:30 am
My condolences to the family. Denis and I lived south of town not far apart, and played football together as Zizzer tackles – he was number 49 and I was number 44. We graduated together in ’55.
Jerry Shaw
Cristy Poppinga
August 11, 2013 @ 4:36 pm
Dear Sue and Matt,
My heart is touched to hear about the death of Denis. As you know he was always special to me and also my family. I remember visiting with the two of you a few years ago when John and I were down your way. I’m so glad that we were able to do that. I send you my love and prayers always ~ cristy (mosier)
George and Doris Moore
August 12, 2013 @ 4:15 pm
Dear Sue;
We just learned of Denis’ death this morning (8/12) and certainly offer our sympathy in your loss. We scarcely know Matt but offer our sympathy to him as well. The Heartland Central District didn’t have information about Denis’ death so I will share some of this with them.
You folks were appreciated by many in the Grandview congregation and I’m sure wherever you served. It was a privilege to follow you at Grandview.
The Kims have a way of tapping into the “grapevine” but I will be sure they know of this event and will share your loss.
Rest in peace my brother, and may God comfort all who love you.
George and Doris
Sue Craft
October 2, 2013 @ 7:58 pm
Dottie;
I was so pleased to hear from you. You were a special “rock” in that Zoo. I think of all you often. Is Dr. Albertson still living? I am sorry about your husband. It is so difficult. I am sure you are retired. Let me hear the news.
Sue
Randal A. Burd, Jr.
August 12, 2013 @ 9:21 pm
I am very sorry for the family’s loss. I am grateful for the consideration Dr. Craft showed me in accepting my invitation to attend a meeting of the Ozark Patriots Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution in his capacity as the Missouri Society President. His leadership, character, and warm personality did not go unnoticed in our brief acquaintance.
Dick Hooper
June 24, 2018 @ 4:43 pm
I am so sorry that Iam 5 yars to late. Denis and I served as Quatermasters in the WoodBadgee at Camp Arrowhead.. His guidiance got me to finish my Ticket and I was so proud that he came to the award service Denis was the Great Owl and I was Little Owl So many meories of those Scouting days I know your pain has lessened but I canot imagine the loss in your life