Harry C. Crain

Harry C. Crain, 90, of Poplar Bluff died Monday, April 22 in Poplar Bluff.

Harry was born October 20, 1928 in Poplar Bluff to Noah Edward and Lillian Mayetta Bradley Crain. He had one younger brother: Richard Wesley Crain. Harry was married to Lola Evalyn Bruce Crain for 65 years. His parents, his wife, his brother, and his granddaughter, Christa Lynnette Milligan, preceded Harry in death.

Harry was a 1946 graduate of Poplar Bluff Senior High. He enlisted in the U S Army after graduation and was stationed in South Korea, Japan, and Hawaii. Harry continued his education after his military service, earning a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Kansas in 1951 and a Masters Degree in Education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1974. In 1952, Harry painted a 47-foot by 5-foot, oil on canvas mural titled “The Trail Scene”. The mural was mounted on the wall inside the Kansas Memorial Union Building on the University of Kansas campus. Harry worked as a technical illustrator for McDonald Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis and as an illustrator for the Baptist Press in Poplar Bluff. He worked as an elementary teacher, secondary teacher, and Director of Instructional Media for the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District.

Harry was a member of the Alumni Association – The University of Kansas, Poplar Bluff Artist’s Guild, Butler County Genealogical Society, The Williamson County Illinois Historical Society, Butler County Retired Teachers and School Personnel, and The American Legion. Harry was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, boating, and camping. He enjoyed painting with oils and watercolors. His favorite compositions were of rivers.

Harry and Lola had three children: Larry Crain of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Terrilyn Crain Wilson of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Karen Crain Schafer of Caledonia, Missouri; four grandchildren: Juliet Wilson Roberts, George John Wilson, Jennifer Wilson Sexton, and Tara Milligan Nolley; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

The visitation will start at 1:00 on Thursday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel with the funeral service following at 2:00. Internment will be at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

The family request memorials made to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, 1465 S. Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63104 in Harry Crain's honor.