Joseph Cragin Jr.'s Obituary
CRAGIN, JR., JOSEPH passed away peacefully on May 9, 2013 at the age of 91. Joe is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Uldene K. Cragin; his parents, Joseph Cragin, Sr. and Mary “Minnie” McKeever Cragin; sister, Laurine Cragin Boyd and brother, Glynn P. Cragin. Born on June 4, 1921 in Wichita Falls, TX, he was the son of an oil field worker and a resourceful seamstress. Being brought up during the depression taught Joe “the value of the dollar”, a philosophy he carried with him throughout life. Although he shared a passion for fishing with his father, it was his young interest in model airplanes that materialized into a lifelong career in the aviation business. After becoming a licensed A & P aircraft engine mechanic, he began his trade in Ballinger, TX working on PT-19 trainers. Subsequently he secured a position with Lockheed, first in Burbank, CA and then, just after turning 21 years old, at Langford Lodge near Belfast, Ireland where he spent 2 memorable years. Upon returning from overseas, he enlisted in the Armed Forces and was stationed in Homestead, FL working on C-54’s and B-24’s, and then later at Hamilton Field, CA where he flew as an Aerial Engineer. Following his discharge from the Army Air Forces in 1946, Joe purchased a small aircraft maintenance business at Park Cities Airport, Dallas, TX. In 1957, he moved his business to a “new airport” in Addison, TX where he stayed for 37 years. Rite Way Airmotive became a safe haven for many pilots in the north Dallas area where “Joe the Wing Man” developed numerous life-long friendships over the years. For 16 years, he served as crew chief for AT-6 air racing in Reno, NV. Joe also received several awards including the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award for serving over 50 years as an A & P certified mechanic by the FAA as well as being appointed with inspection authorization by the FAA. After his retirement in 1995, Joe enjoyed wing covering and painting for the Cavanaugh Flight Museum airplanes, rebuilding an AT-6F air racer and restoring a Stearman bi-plane with his son. Joe is survived by his daughter, Deborah Cragin Broder and husband, Bruce; son,Trent Cragin and wife, Janie; four grandchildren, Owen Broder, Anne-Kyle Cragin, Collin Cragin and Luke Cragin; nephew, Glynn P. Cragin, Jr. and wife, Diane; nieces, Joyce Boyd and Rita Boyd Williams. After a family burial, a memorial service will be held at Restland Abbey Chapel, Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 3:00 PM. A reception will immediately follow at Restland Funeral Home.
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