Arvin D. Crafton

Dr. Arvin D. Crafton, Sr., age 89, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the Murray-Calloway County Hospital in Murray, Kentucky.

Dr. Crafton was born in Todd County, Kentucky on November 28, 1933, to the late Corbit Crafton and Floyd (Gilbert) Crafton. He graduated from Murray State University receiving his Bachelor's Degree and taught at Todd County High School for eight years. He attended the University of Georgia and received his Master's Degree in 1960 and his Doctorate in Education Degree in 1966. Dr. Crafton joined the Murray State faculty in 1966 and retired from MSU in 1994 serving as faculty member and the Director of Student Teaching. In 1966 Arvin joined the Murray Lions Club & soon became involved as being Secretary, Treasurer and Club President. In 1981, he became Chairman of KY Lions All-State Band and was challenged to assemble a Lions Club sponsored high school band comprised of students from across the state. For 23 years he chaired this committee and was instrumental in seeing that some 1600 students attend & participate in the International Lions Club Conventions taking students to all corners of the U.S. In 1986 Lion Arvin was elected Governor of District 43K and received the Lion of the Year Award. Dr. Crafton was a Kentucky Colonel, member of the First United Methodist Church in Murray, Kentucky, and was a United States Army Veteran.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Aron Crafton; as well as his sister, Roberta (Crafton) Lather.

Survivors include his wife, Martha (Stinson) Crafton of Murray, Kentucky; they married on April 16, 1959, in Todd County, Kentucky; one daughter, Shari Lynn (Crafton) Bartley and husband Tony of Chattanooga, Tennessee; one son, Douglas Crafton, Jr. and wife Vicky (Pool) Crafton of Murray, Kentucky; three grandchildren, Nathan Crafton of Murray, Kentucky, Noel (Bartley) Crowder and husband Rob of Chickamauga, Georgia, and Haley (Bartley) Clements and husband Reid of Chattanooga, Tennessee; as well as two great grandchildren, Layla and Weston Crowder both of Chickamauga, Georgia.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 30, 2022, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Dr. Rick Dye, Pastor Jeff Rudy, and Bro. Jim Stahler officiating. Burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 30, 2022, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Online donations can be made to the MISD Foundation for Excellence in memory of Dr. Arvin Crafton at, https://murrayfoundation.net/donate/

Online condolences can be made at, www.thejhchurchillfunerahome.com