Myrl R. Craft, a long time resident of Nardin, passed away May 12, 2012, at the Veterens Rest and Rehab Center located in Norman, Oklahoma. He suffered a stroke in January which left him blind. He had also suffered with a broken leg and had a heart attack. He was 85.

Myrl was born at home, north of Deer Creek, on November 19, 1926, to Art and Stella (Hammond) Craft. Myrl's grandparents, John Craft and his wife Rosetta (Wilder), lived for a few years in Green, Kansas, and decided they wanted to live in Oklahoma. Before the land run, John picked out a quarter North of Deer Creek that he wanted to homestead (claim) during the Oklahoma Land Run on September 16, 1893. This is where the Craft's started farming in Oklahoma. John and Rosetta, lived in a small two story farm house and had ten children, one of which was Art (A. I.) who was married to Stella Craft. To this union four children were born: Glen Craft, Eva Henrichs (deceased), Myrl and Jessie Faye Lumly McBride (deceased).

Myrl served in the military for two years before marring his high school sweetheart, Patricia (Patsy) Rogers who he dated for five years. Myrl and Patsy were blessed with four girls: Dian Lusk, Debora Honeycutt, Myrlene Crook and Mary Thompson. Myrl and Patsy acquired many farms thoughout their marriage and since they did not have any boys, the girls worked during harvest. Myrl also hired many nephews and neighbor boys along with other hired men. During these years the Craft family were farming over 3,000 acres and were raising 10,000 to 12,000 head of cattle.

Myrl and Patsy enjoyed traveling to different countries just to see how other cultures lived and worked. Some of their travels took them to South America, Australia, Austria, Greece, Germany, England, Russia, China, Japan and the Philippines. They also traveled with their daughters to Canada and Mexico many times.

Myrl was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy; two daughters, Dian Lusk and Myrlene Crook; one granddaughter, Marcena Crook; two sisters, Eva Craft Henrichs and Jessie Faye Craft McBride. He is survived by two daughters, Debora Craft Honeycutt and Mary Craft Thompson; his older brother, Glen Craft; five grandchildren, Ty Lusk, Troy and Jennie Honeycutt, and Kandy and Che Thompson; and five great grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews and their families.

A graveside service will be held in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor John Waterloo of Ponca City officiating. The family will gather at the Craft Farm before and after the services.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Image Hospice, 611 E. Hartford, Ponca City, OK 74601, in memory of Myrl Craft and family.