James H. Craft

James H. Craft, 80, of Gallipolis, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at his residence. He was born August 4, 1928 in Gallia County, son of the late Hobart M. and Clara A. Helmintoller Craft. James was married to Laura Jean Baker and she preceded him in death on May 26, 1996. He was a 1946 graduate of GAHS. He retired from Ohio Power Company after 47 years of service as a transmission line foreman. James was a lifetime member of Christ United Methodist Church and a trustee for many years. He was a member of the Gallia Camp of the Gideons. James was also a member of the Masonic Morning Dawn Lodge #7 for over 50 years and a 32nd degree Mason. He was a member of the Gallipolis Aladdin Shrine Temple. James is survived by two daughters, Cindy Gilmore of Sheridan, Arkansas and Linda Ron Tetrick of Pleasant Hill, California and a son, James Gwen Craft of Gallipolis; a son-in-law, Eddie Butler of Crown City; two brothers, Robert Craft and Melvin Donna Craft, both of Gallipolis; seven grandchildren, Kim Tim Barnard, Jill Scott Lloyd, Nick, Lehanna, Caleb and Joel Craft, Jason Bryna Butler; eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Laura Jean Craft, a daughter Julia Ann Butler, a grandson, Charles Kentworth Butler, two brothers, Allen and Paul Craft. Services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at Christ United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Swan Creek Cemetery. Friends may call at the Willis Funeral Home on Monday, May 11, 2009 from 7-9 p.m. There will be a Masonic Service at 9:00 p.m. on Monday. Pallbearers will be Harold Saunders, Nick Craft, Caleb Craft, Joel Craft, Eddie Butler, and Jason Butler. Honorary pallbearers will be Dick Baker, Rick Baker, Dave Baker and Ron Tetrick. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in James' memory to the Gideons for the purpose of purchasing Bibles. Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Cemetery: 2009-05-12 Swan Creek Cemetery Gallia County OH US Visitation: 2009-05-11 19:00:00-21:00:00 Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Service: 2009-05-12 11:00:00 Christ United Methodist Church Gallipolis OH US