Charles Allen Crain Sr.

Charles Allen Crain Sr. Charles Allen Crain, Sr., age 96, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2014, at Indian Hills Retirement Village, Chillicothe, Missouri. Charles was born the son of Albert and Irene (Bland) Crain on November 17, 1917, in Utica, Missouri. He attended the Attucks School in Utica, graduating as Valedictorian in 1930. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Chillicothe to continue his education at Garrison School. At the time, Garrison only provided education through the 10th grade, but Charles' determination led him to return to school when grades 11 and 12 were added. He graduated high school in 1937. In 1942, Charles was called into the military service and joined the Army Airforce. He served as a part of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, learning the skill of radio operator. At the completion of his service in 1945, he had attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Charles lived the life of a single man for many years and enjoyed hobbies such as baseball, but in 1950 Charles married Betty Jane Parker of Chillicothe and became a father. Charles and Betty raised nine children and watched them grow to adulthood. Charles grew up in the church and around 1960 he became a trustee at Bethel AME Church in Chillicothe. He served in that capacity for over 45 years. In 1965, he began working for the Chillicothe R-II school district and was a custodian at Central School, where he retired in 1982 after 17 years. Charles has seen and participated in much change in Chillicothe. In 1968, he became the first African-American to serve on a jury in Livingston County. After retirement in 1982, he became more active instead of slowing down to relax. Throughout the late 1980's and the 1990's, Charles became a fixture in the local community as he volunteered and sought ways to serve and help others. He was known for his visits to hospitals and nursing home to greet veterans, friends and acquaintances. Few could mistake him as he went about town with a friendly smile and warm handshake. In 1995, he was named "Legionnaire of the Year" by the Vern R. Glick Post 25 of the American Legion. In 2002 he was named "Male Volunteer of the Year" by the RSVP organization after giving nearly 4000 hours of service. Survivors include his wife, Betty J. Parker of the home; eight children, Clarence Brown (June), St. Paul, Minnesota; Steven Brown (Cheryl), Tulsa, Oklahoma; Pamela Pasley (Victor), Sunrise Beach, Missouri; Charles Crain Jr. (Patricia), Denver, Colorado; Gregory Crain, Chillicothe, Missouri; Shelly Crain, Elgin, Illinois; Rodney Crain (Gina), Austin, Texas; and Marcia Henderson, Elgin, Illinois; and twenty grandchildren; thirty-one great-grandchildren; host of great-great-grandchildren; Niece Florence Thomas; nephew George Stewart Jr.; and several other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Michael (Mildred) Browne; sisters, Alberta Stewart and Ruth Nelson; and brother Earl Crain. Funeral services will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. A scheduled family visitation will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Wednesday, October 8, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Friends may visit at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Wednesday, October 7, 2014, from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Chillicothe, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethel AME Church in memory of Charles A. Crain, Sr. and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.