Richard Lane Craft was born on November 2, 1954, to Zephaniah Craft Sr. and Willie Mae Wright-Craft. Richard was the fifth child born from this union and raised in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Richard accepted Christ at an early age at Central Missionary Baptist Church. He attended Muskogee Public Schools and graduated from Muskogee High School in 1973.

On January 23, 1981, Richard married his sweetheart, Josephine Levi, who was by his side the day he finished his race. From this union, two beautiful children, Tyrone Corneleius and Richella Lynn were born. He was a hard working man, starting his career at Fort Howard Paper Company, later Georgia Pacific before he retired to start his own HVAC business, Kool-Breezes Heat & Air. He went out of his way to assist anytime and anywhere, whether it be in Oklahoma or out of state; he was a true servant until his health began to fail. He fought a long hard battle with PSP Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, until he finished his race March 11, 2026, and his eternal life began. Richard, always known as “Daddy Rich”, special interest and hobbies included listening to his music collection, reading various books, learning new trades, teaching people and helping his Daddy with the cows. 

Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Willie Mae Wright-Craft, his father, Zephaniah Craft, Sr., his sister, his brother, Ernest Craft and sister Gloria Jean Craft-Thompson. 

His life will be missed but remaining to cherish his memory, his loving wife, JosephineLevi-Craft, his son, Tyrone of Muskogee, OK, his daughter (daddy’s little girl) Richella of Fort Worth, TX, his grandchildren, Kirklynn Freeman of Fort Smith, AR, Kyris Freeman of Fort Worth, TX, Tytianna Craft of Dumas, AR, Jordyn and MacKenzi of Tulsa, OK; great grandsons, Kyon and Kreon (Kirklynn), Logan Jr and Niklaus (Tytianna). His siblings: Zephaniah Craft, Jr. of Tacoma, WA, Shirley Burton (Ted) of Muskogee, OK, Wilma Jones (Arthur) of Lawton, OK, Archie Craft, Sr. (Pat) of Houston, TX, Vinita Smith (Patrick) of Guthrie, OK, David Craft (Renee) of Midlothian, TX, Pat Barrera (Jesus) of Honolulu, HI, Anthlia Craft of Tulsa, OK, Felecia Manning (Terrance) of Norman, OK, June Craft of Norman, OK, and Sarai Thomas (James) of Dallas, TX; Paternal Uncle James Wright, Maternal Uncle McKinley Craft and Aunt Rosa Lee Simpson; 2 sisters-in- law, Nola Levi-Shaw (Lomas deceased) and Helen Levi-Ingram (Joe) of Muskogee, OK; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

You may visit Mr. Craft, as he slumbers in peaceful repose in the Peoples Chapel of the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., on Friday, between the hours of 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

The Hour of Remembrance will commence on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at High Noon, in the most holy sanctuary of Timothy Baptist Church. Pastor Kelly Payne is the gracious host and Reverend Jamie Powell, Pastor of Central Missionary Baptist Church will Preside.

The Christian committal and burial will follow in the Booker T. Washington Cemetery in Muskogee.

You may order flowers:  (918)687-7574 lakelandflorist.com