Charles T. Craft

Charles Terry Craft, affectionately known as “Bud,” passed away peacefully at his home on April 8, 2025, at the remarkable age of 102. Born on October 20, 1922, on the family farm in Johnston, Ohio, Bud was a child of the Roaring Twenties and came of age during the trials of the Great Depression—a background that shaped a life of faith, service, resilience, and adventure.

Bud graduated high school and briefly attended Ohio State University before answering the call to serve his country during World War II. In November 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving four years as an aviation electrician's mate stationed at Fort Island Naval Air Base in Hawaii.

After returning home from the war, Bud met and married the love of his life, Shirley June White, on August 30, 1946. Together, they built a life grounded in love, faith, and family. Bud pursued higher education at Kent State University, earning a degree in Industrial Arts Education—an homage to his roots as the son of a carpenter and a teacher.

Bud and Shirley raised four children in the Christian faith, first in Ohio, then in Lake Helen, Florida, where they relocated in 1960 after receiving a sweet box of oranges from Uncle Jimmy Johns during a snowy Ohio winter—a gift that symbolized a new beginning in the “land of milk and honey.”

Bud dedicated his career to education, teaching at DeLand High School until retirement. A devoted member of the Lake Helen Methodist Church, he served as Sunday School Superintendent, teacher, Lay Witness, and was instrumental in architectural improvements, including designing plans for a Fellowship Hall—a dream project still in the making.

His devotion to community was evident in his involvement with the Boy Scouts, 4-H, and his proud membership as a Master Mason Life Member at St. Johns Lodge #37, a Shriner, and a member of the Lake Helen American Legion Post 127.

Never one to sit still, Bud was an explorer at heart. He built a home in Sapphire, North Carolina, where he and Shirley joined the Crafters Guild and served as board members of St. Andrews By The Lake Chapel. He hiked the North Carolina mountains with his beagles, fished the wilds of Canada and Alaska—once reeling in the second-largest salmon on the Kenai Peninsula at age 80—and planned two self-guided European tours. In total, he completed an impressive 36 cruises.

In 1962, Bud organized a legendary 9-week camping trip across the United States for his family, a trip filled with discovery, learning, and cherished memories. Every October, he could be found deer hunting in Georgia with beloved friends and family.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Terry Craft and Ella Edwards Craft; his sister, Dorothy Craft Fuller; and his devoted wife of 69 years, Shirley White Craft. He leaves behind a loving legacy in his four children: Julie Craft McCaughtry (Roger), Thomas Craft, Chris Craft (Cindy), and Kelly Craft (Lisa); six grandchildren: Jeremy Craft (Jessica), Meg Ramis (Raul), Kristen Triolo (Peter), Chris Craft II (Tracey), Chad Craft (Georgia), and Tiffany Ehrecke (Nathan); and eleven great-grandchildren: Brooke Triolo, Ayden Triolo, Rose Craft, Hunter Craft, Chyanne Craft, Quinn Koch, Ella Ehrecke, Sawyer Ramis, Frankie Ramis, Clara Craft, and Thomas Craft.

Known for his deep faith, generosity, and boundless knowledge, Bud was a teacher to all who knew him. He was always grateful for kindness extended to him and gave it back tenfold. Whether he was fixing something, building something, or simply offering guidance, Bud’s heart was always in service to others. When asked if he wanted ice cream, he'd say, “just one scoop,” but always end up with three. Ever the teacher, some of his last words were, “Let me show you how to do that.” His wisdom, humor, and warmth will be deeply missed by all who loved him.

The family will have calling hours on Monday, April 14, 2025, from  6 – 8 pm at Lankford Funeral Home, 220 E New York Avenue, in DeLand, FL. Following will be a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 11 am at Lake Helen Methodist Church, 111 W Delaware Ave, in Lake Helen, FL, with a luncheon to follow at 1 pm at Bud’s home, 391 North High Street, Lake Helen, FL. 

He will be laid to rest on Thursday, April 17, 2025, 11:30 am at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Lake Helen Methodist Church Building Fund toward a new Fellowship Hall which was Bud’s lifelong dream. Address: LHMC, 111 W Delaware Ave, Lake Helen, FL, 32744