James Arnold Craft

James Arnold Craft, also known as “Arnie,” “Jim,” “Daddy,” “Grampa,” “Gramp,” “Papa,” “Unc,” “Mr. Craft,” and “Crafty,” passed into the arms of the Lord on March 13th, 2025, at 94 years, 8 months and 10 days, peacefully at his granddaughter’s home with family by his side.  He was predeceased by his parents, Guy L. Craft, Sr. and Frances Moore Craft, his beloved wife of almost 50 years Mary King Craft, Son Urban, infant son Bradley, and brother Guy L. Craft, Jr. 

He leaves behind his daughter, Tamara Craft Klossner, granddaughter Jamie (Ryan) and their children, Aiden, Averie, Ashlynn, and Adam, granddaughter Shelby (Matt) and their children, Oliver and Emily, grandson Jared (Aldijana) and their children, Elyssa and Kailynn, all whom he loved with all his heart.  He also leaves behind a sister, Barbara Craft Nelson (Phil), a sister in law Pauline, and many other loved family members and friends.

He grew up in New Milford, PA, and attended New Milford High School.  As a natural born athlete, he held a pole vaulting record for years, and scored the most points ever scored in the first half of a basketball game. He joined the United States Air Force at the age of 18 and served as a Crew Chief on a B29 refueling plane, serving during the time of the Korean War. Upon his military leave in 1952, he married his beloved wife, Mary King Craft, at the Universalist Church in Brooklyn, PA and spent almost 50 years loving her by his side. He worked at Links in Binghamton and later spent his years working at, and retiring from, IBM in Endicott, NY, as a Senior Inspection Technician and Quality Analyst. 

He enjoyed storytelling, fishing, traveling, hunting and deer-spotting, getting lost on long drives, and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was also fond of stopping at any roadside ice cream stand. He’d sing “Doodely-Do” to any child or adult within earshot, and as he got older, would use his cane as a ‘guitar’ to carry on his tune. He’d also feed wild chipmunks whole peanuts, and injured deer apples out of his hand. 

He loved his home on Wrighter Lake in Thompson, PA, and enjoyed socializing with the neighbors for hours on end, watching the eagles fly and planes leaving their vapor trails.  He taught many to waterski, how to drive a motorboat, and was the neighborhood handyman for years. As his years passed behind him, he enjoyed watching all the generational activity on the lake while peacefully perched and smiling on the porch. He’ll truly be missed by all, and will forever be remembered by those he left behind.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 20th, 2025, at West Windsor Baptist Church, 166 North Road, Windsor, New York 13865, from the hours of 12:00pm to 3:00pm, with a Celebration of Life Service to follow. Family will gather the following day for a private interment at Westside Cemetery, Brooklyn, PA. 

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