Larry was intelligent and hard-working. He was devoted to his wife “sweetie” and his family. He was extremely generous, positive, friendly to all and quick to smile. He was loved by many.
The son of Charles Thomas Craton and Annie Mae (Mull) Craton, Larry was born March 31, 1934, near Lindale, Ga., in a community locals called Boozeville. He was the youngest of seven siblings.
He left home at 13 to attend Berry Academy near Rome, Ga., where he worked his way through high school and then stayed on to begin his undergraduate degree at Berry College. He later completed his undergraduate degree and earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology.
He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954-1974 as a navigator and electronics engineer. During his military career, he was stationed at several U.S. bases and at Osan Air Base, South Korea. He retired at the rank of major.
After retirement, he began several businesses, including a furniture restoration business and a carwash and he built and managed commercial rental property. He volunteered in Florida’s Guardian ad Litem program and with Meals on Wheels.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy Devail (Benson) Craton; three children, Karl Craton, Linda Swanson and David Craton; daughter-in-law, Susan Craton; son-in-law, Rick Swanson; grandsons, Justin Golliday, Michael Craton and Andrew Craton; step-grandchildren, Tricia Swanson and Curtis Swanson; several dear nieces and nephews; and many good friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and all his siblings.
A military service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, June 29, 2020 at Sarasota National Cemetery.
Those who are interested can gather with family after the service for a buffet lunch at Der Dutchman, a restaurant at 3713 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL, 24232. There will be an opportunity at the lunch for anyone who would like to share memories or stories about Larry.
Coral Ridge Funeral Home in Cape Coral is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in his memory to Florida Guardian Ad Litem Foundation,
https://flgal.org/donate-to-the-florida-guardian-ad-litem-foundation
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