Max David Craft, 66, of Verona, passed away at 7:56 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 at home with his wife by his side. He was born Dec. 1, 1956 at the Harris-Howell Clinic in Purdy, the son of Johnnie and Virginia (Sperandio) Craft, who both preceded him in death.
Max attended Verona schools and then pursued his career as a certified diesel mechanic and farmer. As he would say, he enjoyed turning wrenches. He was employed at Ryder in Monett for 28 years.
He loved the country and was raised on a farm. His favorite place to be was outdoors. He enjoyed working with animals, working on tractors, helping his neighbors and always providing them with eggs and extra vegetables out of his garden. He served on the Monett Rural Fire Department and Monett City Volunteer Fire Department with a combined service time of approximately 10 years. He poured his heart into this type of service.
A few years ago, he purchased the car of his dreams, a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette, which he loved to take the T-tops out when he drove it and show it off. He was very proud of this vehicle and whenever he drove it to work he would say, “I drove the devil tonight.”
His hobbies included fishing, deer hunting, working jigsaw puzzles and had a big heart for helping his friends and neighbors.
Max and Lisa (Atwell) Craft were married on September 24, 1993 and she survives. They would have soon celebrated 30 years together.
By joining both of their families, Max had five children, Dr. Dustin (Michelle) Craft, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; Hannah (Craft) Lecoe (Brad) of Baker, Montana; Christopher (Christel) Vore, of Lowell, Ark.; Allisha Reeves, of Pryor, Okla.; and Renee (Stephen) Vickers, of Lowell, Ark.
He had 18 grandchildren, including: Hope Craft; Andrew Craft and Mason Lecoe; Kainoa and Analani Craft, both of Hawaii; Mariah (Scott) Johnson and Dalton Lecoe; Sharon (Vore) Wallace (Parker) of Lowell, Ark.; Victorya Knight, of Lowell, Ark.; Natalie Vore, of Grove, Okla.; Arianna Vore, of Rogers, Ark.; Julian Kristek, of Monett; Malack Reeves, of Pryor, Okla.; Alexander Reeves, of Berryville, Ark.; Ryan Reeves, of Pryor, Okla.; Grace and Sophie Vickers, of Lowell, Ark.; and Jackson Vore, of Lowell, Ark.
He had four/five great- grandchildren including Easton and Barrett Pratt, of Lowell, Ark.; Wyatt Helms, of Grove, Okla.; and Jett Johnson and another one due in October.
He is also survived by four sisters and four brothers; Donnie (Bonita) Craft; Gary (Bernadine) Craft and Mark Craft, all of Verona; Janet (Chris) Snider, of Aurora; Phyllis (Ron) Soupiest, of Elkhart, Kan.; Helen (Steve) May of Verona; Mary (Scott) Hutchinson, of Elkart, Kan. and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Eddie Craft.
Visitation will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24 followed by funeral services at 3:30 at Buchanan Funeral Home in Monett. Max was cremated by his request.
Those wishing to make contributions in Max’s name, in lieu of flowers, can make checks out to the Monett Rural Fire District “Fire Fighters” and give them to the funeral home. All arrangements are under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, in Monett.
