Rex Irving Craighton

Rex Irving Craighton was born February 19, 1923 to Glenn D. and Lola Marie Stonebraker Craighton in Hampton, Iowa. He attended McKenzie rural school in Franklin county and graduated from Hampton High School. He was married to Alice Adeline Armstrong June 9th of 1946. To this union 6 sons and 3 daughters were born. Rex was baptized into Christ April 12, 1942 at the Church of Christ in Hampton, Iowa and served many years as an elder. He went home to be with his Lord Tuesday January 12, 2016 at Franklin General Hospital, Hampton, Iowa just 39 days short of 93 years. Rex was born, raised and continued to farm on his grandfather's farm which became a Century Farm in 1998. Rex's main career was husband, father, and farmer. He subsidized this with a variety of jobs. He was a butcher and truck driver at Trading Post, dug graves and set monuments for Beringer Monument, and was a school bus driver for 27 years. He loved his bus kids and enjoyed taking Hampton students to many special events. In the later years, he started attending Hampton Senior Center and soon found plenty of jobs he could do there also. He also spent Fridays volunteering at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton "helping the old people play bingo." Farming led him to be active in the area 4-H and extension program (member, leader, and council). He was a charter member of the Hampton FFA chapter, long time Farm Bureau member, and a former Odd Fellow. Rex loved doing things with his family and friends - hunting, fishing, skating, and traveling. Later in life he spent a lot of hours in his barn doing woodworking. He also enjoyed gardening and word searches. Rex is survived by 7 children: Sandra & Rick Kyles of Afton, OK; David & Lois Craighton of Sheffield, IA; Daniel & Connie Craighton of Hampton, IA; Larry & Deb Craighton of Hampton, IA; Lowell & Sandie Craighton of Hampton, IA; Verne Sanders (son-in-law) of Hampton, IA; Tim & Rosina Craighton of Okmulgee, OK; & Thomas & Dawn Craighton of Hampton, IA; and sister Helen Burns of Iowa Falls, IA; 21 grandchildren; 60 great grandchildren; & 9 great great grandchildren as well as many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, two daughters, four grandchildren, his parents and one sister. Rex's devotion to God and his family was felt by everyone who met him. He will be greatly missed but we have many special memories to keep him close in heart. We look forward to the day we will join him again in heaven. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to North Iowa Hospice or Hampton Senior Center.

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Rex Irving Craighton

February 19, 1923 - January 12, 2016