Grady Crain

Grady Crain, 105, a beloved father, grandfather and friend, passed away on the 7th day of October, 2026, in the comfort of his home in Dover, Arkansas, surrounded by his family. He was born April 23, 1921, to John Walter Crain and Ella Mahaley Mosley Crain, of Bald Hill, Texas. Grady was the 7th of nine children born to this marriage.

Grady was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Thompson Crain, his parents and his devoted step-mother, Emma Vansau Crain; his siblings: Frank, Leon, Alvin, Calvin, Viola Gilcrease, Ernest, Mellie Boone, and Geneva Newsom. Also his grandson, Jeb Daniel King and his great-great grandson, Myles M. Bell.

Grady enjoyed the freedom to work hard and make a little money, but at the early age of 20, he volunteered in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he proudly served 3 years, 11 months and 21 days in WWII. He was always quick to tell the stories as he recalled these events just like it happened yesterday. He was a great story teller!

Grady was born and raised working hard in the sandy soil and tall pine trees of East Texas, planting cotton and running hogs, putting up crops and smoking hogs which was the foundation for his life-long passion for planting a large vegetable garden, hunting and fishing most all his life. He enjoyed the outdoors and the anticipation of sharing the harvest. As much as he enjoyed these things, his love for playing dominoes, 42 and cheering on the Astros, watching his favorite Texas football teams and of course, watching March Madness basketball kept him occupied the last decade of his life.

After his time in the service, he returned to East Texas and married his sweetheart, Mildred Thompson. For over 30 years, he lived in the Southeast part of Houston, called Park Place, where he built a new home and worked in the laboratory at Charter Oil & Gas. No matter where he lived, he always made sure to be an active member of the church. In Houston it was Broadway Church of Christ, which later became Southeast Church of Christ. Upon taking an early retirement in 1984, he bought a lot on Lake Travis in Austin and built a home there. They worshiped with the Pond Springs Church and later with the Leander Church of Christ where they made life-long friends. As the years went by, they made a decision to move to Arkansas in 2003, where they bought several lots and built their current home in Dover. Grady was multi-talented and always had his hands in the design and finishing of every home. They worshiped with the Westside Church of Christ and later with the Shiloh Road Church of Christ in Russellville.

Grady was a good father and a Christian man, a man who was a friend and respected by everyone who knew him. Over the past 19 years, he has employed many caregivers, first to help care for his wife and after she passed away, to help care for himself. In all these years, he has never changed who he is: a man of God, who speaks the truth, who believes in prayer and prays openly, especially before meals and one who seldom complains. He has been a light and a living witness and testament to others on how to grow old gracefully! He will be greatly missed and never forgotten and we’re so thankful for the long life he was given to be shared!

Grady is survived by his children: Johnny L. Crain of Jupiter, FL; Pamela King (David) of Brenham, TX; and Molly Turner (Kenneth) of Dover, AR. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Lee Ann Concienne, Cory Crain (Angela), Tawnya Bell, John'luke Grady King (Carly), Davalyn Kratz (Bryan), Nathan Turner (Breanna) and Emily Wesley (Zac).

For more than half a century, Grady has been called "PawPaw" by his grandchildren whom he adored and enjoyed seeing as often as they could come for a visit, especially at Thanksgiving and his birthday celebrations! He is survived by his great-grandchildren: Joshua Shaver (Kayla), Jared Bell (Patty), John Bell, Caroline Bell, Grace Concienne, Faith Ann Concienne, Storm Crain, Stone Crain, Jory Kratz Gladman (Matt), Jeryn Kratz, Kate King, Madison King, Grady Wesley, Magnolia Wesley, Emmitt Wesley, Silas Turner, and Sierra Turner. Also, survived by his great-great grandchildren: Scarlett Shaver, Sterling Shaver and Jameson Bell.

Funeral service for Grady will be the 18th of October, with visitation an hour prior to the service at 2:00 pm, in care of Gipson Funeral Home, Lufkin, TX, and burial will be at Gilbert Chapel Cemetery, Bald Hill, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Grady’s honor to Gilbert Chapel Cemetery, P. O. Box 141, Huntington, TX 75949.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be his great-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to give special recognition and appreciation to his caregivers who were with him for several years: Karen Scott, Dee Dority, Jessica Pompey, and Kelley Hegeman. Thank you also to the other wonderful women who were his recent caregivers. We also want to thank Dr. Kenneth Turner, his son-in-law, who provided immediate medical attention and love. Finally, we want to extend our great appreciation to the staff of Gentiva Hospice who provided their services with so much attention to detail, sincere love, and concern. Grady’s long life is a testimony to these professionals who showed him compassion and dedication to his comfort.