Lt. Col. (retired) Ronald Monroe Craft Sr., 98, of Gloucester, passed away Dec. 14, 2017.
Lt. Col. Craft served his country in the U.S. Army from 1940-1965. He served during WWII, 802nd Tank Destroyer Battalion, 143 Tank Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment and in European Theater of Operations. His peacetime service included service with the 4th AAA Group (NIKE) S-2 in Alaska and S-1 Adjutant 35th AAA Brigate (ARTY), Fort George G. Meade. In Korea, he was with the 955th Field Artillery Battalion I Corp, USA. Lt. Col. Craft received numerous medals and decorations to include, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Korean Presidential Citation and numerous service ribbons for the European Theater and the Korean Theater of Operations.
He was a member of American Legion Post No.75, Gloucester, 802nd Tank Destroyer Battalion Veteran’s Association of New York, Retired Officers Association of the U.S., Williston Park Exempt Fireman Benevolent Association and the National Association for Uniformed Services. From 1969-1987, he was associated with Peninsula Tractor and Equipment Co., Grafton.
He enjoyed collecting autographs of Major League Baseball Players and raising fancy poultry for showing. He was a loving husband, father, grand and great-grandfather and a mentor to many. He has left us, but his memories will remain with us all.
He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Dorothy F. Craft; daughter, Barbara Jean Moody; son, Ronald M. Craft Jr.; grandchildren, Paula Huff, Mark Ottarson, Ronald M. Craft III and David L. Craft; great-grandchildren, Cole Huff, Brittany Ottarson, Mackenzie Huff, Kerian Craft and Donavon Craft.
Graveside funeral service with military honors was held 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, at Ware Episcopal Church Cemetery with the Rev. Tom Cohick officiating. Friends assembled at the cemetery. The family received friends Saturday, Dec. 16 from 4-5:30 p.m. at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Gloucester House, New Century Hospice, CNAs and NAs for the love and care given to our dad and his family.
Please visit www.hoggfh.com to share condolences and memories with the family.