Johnny Lee Crail

Johnny L. "John" Crail Wenatchee, WA Johnny L. "John" Crail, age 81, of Wenatchee, WA, passed away peacefully at home on December 22, 2011, surrounded by family and friends. John was born August 24, 1930, in Newnatie, AR, the son of Raymond A. and Retha (Broyles) Crail. He was raised in Pettigrew, AR. John graduated from St. Paul High School in 1950. After graduation, he worked at the Libby, McNeil and Libby in Lake Mills, WI from 1950 to 1951, until enlistment in the Navy in July of that same year. During his tenure in the service, he earned the United Nations Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal with Stars K-7 and K-8; and the Good Conduct Medal. He separated from the Navy in July 1955 as a Yeoman Third Class. After honorable discharge, he served in the Reserves until July 1959. While serving in the Reserves, in 1956, he met the love of his life, Loretta Wages of St. Paul, AR. After a short courtship, they were married on her father's birthday, December 26, 1956. This year would have been their 55th Wedding Anniversary. They made their home in Wenatchee. John hired on at the Alcoa plant in 1963, in the Ingot Plant as a Furnace Operator. He later transferred to the Maintenance Department as a Shop Helper, from which he retired in 1992, after 29 years of service. John lived his life with a passion and enjoyed all that it had to offer. He especially loved the outdoors, often referring to it as God's church, where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping on the Snake River and the Palouse Falls with his wife, children and friends, catfishing. He also enjoyed many an evening after work, fishing off of Walla Walla Point on the Columbia River for Salmon. If he was not hunting or fishing, he could be found spending time with his family or watching sports. It was during his retirement years, that he earned the nickname of "Farmer John." His garden was a hobby in which he took great pride. Anyone who visited was invited to take a walk in the garden and often left with the bounties of vegetables and fruit, for which he had so tenderly cared. He was a generous, caring person and father. He also enjoyed spending time with and caring for his grandsons, granddaughters and great-grandchildren. John will be missed deeply and always remembered by all who knew and loved him. John is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Julia (Southwick) Crail of St. Angsgar, IA; his daughter and son-in-law, Charlene and Bruce Gall of Prosser, WA; his daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Rick Etzkorn of Seattle and Monitor, respectively; his son, Marvin Crail and Beth VanPattenCrail of Wenatchee, WA; his grandchildren, David (Bethany) Crail and Sarah Crail of Minneapolis, MN, MaryKay (Mike) Barsness, Michael and Jason Crail, all of St. Angsgar, IA, Zachery (Jessica) Crail, Anna and Megan Crail, all of Wenatchee, WA and Erik and Brent Etzkorn of Seattle, WA; his great-grandchildren, Miah and Dana Barsness of St. Angsgar, IA and Sophia Breeza of Kalispell, MT; his sister, Nellive Vines of Huntsville, AR; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond A. and Retha M. (Broyles) Crail. On behalf of the family, we want to express our gratitude to Central Washington Home Health and Hospice Care and all the wonderful people at Wenatchee Valley Clinic and Central Washington Hospital for their support. Funeral Services in Celebration of his Life will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at Telford's Chapel of the Valley in East Wenatchee; presiding will be his son, Charles Crail. His daughter-in-law, Julia and granddaughter, Sarah, will sing as a special tribute to John. Graveside Services will follow at Wenatchee City Cemetery in Wenatchee with full Military Honors; presiding will be Jaime Wilhite. Memorial donations, in John's name, may be made to Calvary Crossroads Church in Wenatchee. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley in East Wenatchee.

Johnny Lee Crail

August 24, 1930 - December 22, 2011