Robert Wiley Crafton

Robert Wiley Crafton Robert Wiley Crafton, age 77, of Sugarland, TX was called home by the Lord Saturday, August 14, 2010. Bob was born to Robert Lee and Ola Faye Crafton on May 18, 1933 in South Bend, TX. Bob attended the University of Houston where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1955. Bob had a distinguished military career as a Naval aviator. The Commander had tours with several air wing commands including a tour in Taiwan and one combat tour in Vietnam. Combat decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four strike flight awards, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. In 1962 as a test pilot, he was co-recipient of the American Helicopter Society's Frederick Feinberg Award for establishing a world speed record and the American Academy of Achievement Golden Plate award for excellence in helicopter flying. He retired from the Navy as a Commander in 1977 and spent the next 20 years commanding the Navy Junior ROTC program at Forest Brook High School in Spring, TX, from which he retired in 1996. Bob met Shirley Tuggle of Evergreen, AL in Pensacola, FL while he was in pilot training and they married June 22, 1957. They spent a lot of their time in recent years enjoying their bay home on Swan Point overlooking San Antonio Bay in Seadrift, Texas. Bob is survived by his son David, his wife Suzanne and sons Kenneth and Carter Crafton of Houston and Michael Hobbs of Knoxville, TN, along with a number of other relations and loved ones who reside in Texas. Bob is preceded in death by the love of his life, Shirley Tuggle Crafton, his beloved daughter, Susan Lynn and his son, Kenneth Bertrand, as well as his parents Robert and Ola Faye and brother William. A private interment will full military honors will be held at Houston National Cemetery on Friday, August 20, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 20 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1400 Radio Lane in Rosenberg with Rev. Rhonda Detenbeck officiating. The family will be receiving friends at the Crafton home in Sugarland on Thursday evening, August 19 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The family asks that any flowers be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 1400 Radio Lane, Rosenberg, TX or that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to Operation Homefront in memory of Robert Crafton. Donations can be made online at www.operationhomefront.net/donate.aspx or by calling 210-659-7756. Words of condolence may be left for the Crafton family at www.davisgreenlawnfh.com. Service arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3900 B. F. Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, Texas, 77471, 281-341-8800.

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Robert Wiley Crafton

May 18, 1933 - August 14, 2010