In Memory of Ted Crafton

Ted Crafton

Ted was a father of five and a wonderful husband.  He loved being an electrician and he was very good and took pride in his work.  Over the years, he worked for different companies but found a home at Herzog Electric.  He was so proud of his job there.  He loved waking up and going to work every day.  That's one of the things that kept him going during his last few months, the idea that he was going to get better so he could go back to work.

But more than anything he loved his family.  He was so proud of all five of his children.  Nena (34) for going through nursing school and then going back to school to get her RN degree.  Erik (26) whom he had trained to become an electrician.  In May 2004 Erik became a journeyman through the union.  Ted was so proud!  And then there is Sara (15), Amanda (9), and Kayla (8).

He loved being our dad and he loved coaching and teaching  us softball. There was nothing he loved more than Saturday mornings. He'd wake up, get the girls in their uniforms, take us to Starbucks, then the batting cages, and then softball games all day.  That was his passion!  A wonderful father, he would pick up us up from school every day and each night he'd tell Amanda and Kayla to get their spelling words and he would quiz them every night before they went to bed.   He always told his kids that education was the most important thing.  Ted would say never give up-keep going!

My father was diagnosed last June with small cell lung cancer. He went through six months of chemo and then radiation, and he worked the whole time.  Then in April, the cancer had spread and he had to stop working. Ted was so sick the last few months, but he never complained and he never gave up hope.  He always thought he was going to get better.  Even in his last few days when he was feeling so bad, his spirit was strong.    That's how we will always remember him-proud and strong.

We all love him so much!  He always took such good care of all of us. He was the best husband and the best father anyone could ever have!  Ted will be greatly missed!!!

-Sara