FRANKIE PAT CRADDOCK, SR.

On October 21, 2021, at 7:11 p.m., the Craddock family lost their rock and their patriarch, and the community lost a remarkable citizen. Frankie Pat Craddock Sr. left this world surrounded by his family, arm-in-arm and praying for his peaceful transition from our arms into God’s. Visitation with family and friends will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 28, at Nobles Funeral Chapel. A celebration of his life will be 3:00 p.m. Friday, October 29, also at the funeral home with interment following in Oakland Cemetery. Rev. Clyde Larrabee will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel.

Pat was born on February 19, 1935 to Guy Franklin Craddock and Laura Mae Smart Craddock in Strawn, Texas. The family lived there until the marriage ended in 1938 and Pat moved with his mother to Navasota, Texas. His mother remarried Oscar Lee Spencer in 1939 and the three became a family. Pat loved and admired his step-father. He continued to visit his father who remarried Bessie and they had a daughter Beverly. Pat grew up in Navasota, Texas and was quite a sharp dresser and “man about town.” He played basketball, tennis, track and enjoyed music, playing the piano, trumpet, trombone, saxophone and likely any other instrument you asked him to play. He loved band and really enjoyed directing music. He was an all-around socialite with friends like Jack and Roseann Brown that remained close throughout his entire life.

Pat achieved a scholarship for his music and attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas in 1953. He loved his music classes and was again a socialite joining the fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha.

He met and married Mary Katherine Crawford in 1954. He moved back to Navasota and went to work for JC Penney. The two started a family and their first son, Frankie Pat Craddock Jr. was born in 1955, followed by Katherine Craddock (Kathy) in 1959, and Mary Laura (Laura) Craddock in 1961 and Shannon Patrick Craddock in 1967. They lost one baby, a son, in 1965. In 1958, Pat went to work for the Navasota Examiner, where he made a 42 year career. He was instrumental in the running of the paper. He was well known all over the small town, where he would spend his days covering and reporting on all the town happenings. He was an amazing writer, photographer, editor, ad salesman and anything else the paper needed. In 1961, he built, from the ground up, an automated am/fm radio station. KWBC was the mind-child of Pat and it brought innovation to the town of Navasota.

On March 21, 1975, Pat remarried Anette (Ann) Clark. Ann was the love of his life, his soul-mate, confidant, best-friend and his comfort in life. It was obvious to those around them that she was his treasure. She brought a daughter, Ginna, into the marriage and together they raised their five children. Family vacations were a highlight of their family time as well as attending football games and local events. They traveled throughout the nation both with work assignments and on vacation. They successfully created a loving family that would stand arm-in-arm beside him until the end. Pat retired from the Navasota Examiner in 2000 after all the kids had finished their schools and had employment of their own. Pat’s love of live music and great food convinced them to move closer to all the fun in Houston and they chose to settle in Cypress, Texas in 2000. After a few months in retirement, Pat decided to go back to work. He started a new career working for the engineering department at Prairie View A&M University. He worked for 12 years helping to make the engineering department a success. His co-workers admired his ability to get things done with such professionalism and always met a deadline. He then took a second retirement. He and Ann enjoyed their retirement with family and friends.

Pat was a man of conviction and honor. Always early to any appointment. Always steady and calm, never letting anything rattle him. If he said he would do something, you could be guaranteed it would happen. He always put others before himself, never minding to spend an evening, a day, a week, or even months helping us with a project. He would edit our work, teach us to play an instrument, bake our favorite desserts for Christmas (all of them) or spend months helping a grandson put together the schematics and planning and implementation of a speaker system for an Eagle Scout project. He never needed recognition for all of his hard work. He never expected it and always was so pleased when his people were recognized. He was very gracious and humble but enjoyed when we appreciated his efforts.

Throughout his life, Pat loved music. He loved playing his piano. He loved writing and photography and teaching others. He loved entertaining his family. He loved to make everyone whiskey sours or bake their favorite desert. He loved to laugh. He loved to tease. He loved to socialize. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren. He loved to spend time with his family and friends. Frankie Pat Craddock loved life. Love was his trademark.

Pat was preceded in death by his mother, Laura Mae Spencer; his step-father Oscar Lee Spencer, his father Guy Craddock; a baby son; and his grandson Baton Andrew McGinty.

Serving as pallbearers are Craig Murphy, Kyle Zaragoza, Jordan Fuchs, Chad Craddock, Aaron Fuchs and Ryan Fuchs.

Pat is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Anette Craddock; son Pat Jr. and wife Carolyn Craddock, daughter Kathy and husband Ray Drews, daughter Laura and husband Henry Zaragoza, son Shannon and wife Julie Craddock and daughter Ginna and husband Robert Fuchs; grandchildren Chad Craddock, Trish and husband Cameron Cunneen, Ashley Craddock, Jessica and Craig Murphy, Kyle and wife Jenee’ Zaragoza, Jordan and wife Katherine Fuchs, Aaron Fuchs, Ryan Fuchs, and Brooks Craddock and his great grandchildren, Jake Pearce, Summer Pearce, Landen Murphy, Kaden Murphy, Addisen Murphy, Bailey Zaragoza, Quinn Zaragoza, Wyatt Fuchs, Everett Fuchs, Cullen Cunneen, Witt Cunneen, and Penny Cunneen. If you have questions about what he meant to others, just check out the reviews:

“Pat was the best classmate. He was better than the rest. He was so smart and nice to everyone. And, he could play that ‘boogie-woogie’ on the piano! Always the life of the party.”~ Bill Thane, classmate and friend

“… Back in high school, he unfailingly covered every event whether it was for the newspaper or radio, he was always there with his microphone and his camera. And he did it with such professionalism. He truly loved what he did and represented both the newspaper and radio so well. I am better for having known that wonderful man. He and your mom always made me feel so welcome in your home….” ~Cathy Mock, friend

“It was an honor to stand at the foot of his bed as he transitioned into Heaven.” ~Robert Fuchs, son-in-law

“He was a super hero for sure!!! I miss him already!” ~ Maria Chaffey, neighbor

“Gramps was a guy who never had a problem.”~Ryan Fuchs, grandson