Franklin Orrin Craft

He was born on December 9, 1934 in Memphis, Tennessee to Mozele and Araphel Craft.

He graduated from Messick High School in 1952; attended and graduated from Memphis State University in 1957 where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and a cheerleader. He then attended and graduated from Southern Law University and passed the Tennessee Bar in 1961.

He met his wife, Danitta Epperson and they were wed on April 29, 1957.

He loved playing golf and was a member of Farmington Country Club and the Chickasaw Country Club. At that time he was also a member of The First Evangelical Church.

In 1968 he started Dennies Contracting Co, Inc. (commercial roofing and sheet metal). The company was licensed in 16 states and ranked in the top 20 in Roofing Contractors in America by Engineering News Record.

He sold the company and retired in 1986.

He and his wife moved to Siesta Key, Florida full time in 1992. He was a member of Gator Creek Golf Club and played every day except Sundays!

He also served on the Siesta Dunes Condo Association Board as Director and President, and Village Walk Homeowner's Association Board also as Director and President.

He was a member of Grace Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and Chairman of the Mission Board. He also attended Freedom Christian Church and Sunnyside Chapel.

Franklin is survived by his wife, Danitta; son, Jim Craft of Grand Junction, TN; daughter, Rene' Smith (Tracy) of Cordova, TN; grandson, Tanner Smith (Megan) of Germantown, TN; granddaughter, Makenna O'Malley (Thomas) of St. Louis, MO; nephew, Julius Rembrandt II (Ann) of Charlestown, WV.

In addition to his parents, Franklin was predeceased by his sister, Annette and her husband, Julius Rembrandt, Jr.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, October 8, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home, 170 Honore Ave., Sarasota, FL.

A Remembering of Franklin (Shrimp) Craft will be scheduled in Memphis at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the charity of donors choice.