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November 5, 1921
May 2, 2016
Marion Francis Craker was born November 5, 1921, to William Henry and Myrtle Tinney (Houk) Craker in Lavon, Texas.
Marion was about 12 years old when he left school to provide for his family after his father passed away. He picked up scrap metal, worked on farms, then in his teens worked for a trucker.
This led him to start his own trucking business. He built that up to six trucks.
Four days after Pearl Harbor was attacked, he joined the Navy, serving in the Asiatic Pacific and the American Theater aboard various ships. He served in the Navy for five years.
During this time, he met his future wife, Helen Louise Vandenacre, in Seattle, Washington, on a blind date. With his business gone in Texas and no work in Bremerton, Washington, they moved to Port Angeles for work at Crown Zellerbach.
He retired after 31 years as a machine tender making paper. He was a member of local 269.
Marion and Helen were married one month short of 70 years.
Together, they raised three sons. They spent summers at Lake Crescent at a resort at East Beach, where they enjoyed boating and waterskiing.
One year for Christmas, Marion built the boys a hydroplane. He made them wetsuits one winter and took them waterskiing.
There was snow on the ground, the wetsuits leaked and it was freezing, but fun times with Dad.
This did not become an annual event.
After the resort at East Beach closed, Marion and Helen bought property on Lake Crescent and built a house before he retired. Later after selling the lakehouse, they traveled, built two more homes and Marion helped his sons build and remodel many others up into his 80s.
Building and pouring concrete were his passion.
Marion was selfless, caring and compassionate. He will be truly missed.
Marion is survived by his wife, Helen; brother Clifford (Dallas, Texas); sons Dale (Darcy), Don (Cathy) and Tom; grandchildren Rochelle (John) Craker, Brett (Pheap) Craker, Melissa (Dustin) Allison and Chelsea Craker; and great-grandchildren Kevin, Colton, Katrina, Elizabeth and Caleb.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers J.B. and William, sister Hazel Edmunds and daughter-in-law Sheri Ann Craker.
A graveside service at Mount Angeles Memorial Park, 45 Monroe Road, Port Angeles, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14.
Harper-Ridgeview Funeral Chapel, Port Angeles (www.harper-ridgeviewfuneralchapel.com), is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Great memories of times spent with Marion and Helen at East Beach. Under Marion's tutelage I acquired my first wet suit (it did not leak) and learned to water ski. When needed, Marion was always there with a helping hand, and he and his boat were readily available to take anyone water skiing. My condolences to Helen and family.
Ernie Lackman
University Place WA
May 19, 2016
My prayers are with your family. My father, Wallace Schuman, worked at Crown Zee approximately the same time your father worked there. They probably knew each other. I may have went to school with Don. May the Lord bless your family during this time of loss.
Leah (Schuman) Bollinger
May 17, 2016
Mrs. Craker,Don and Tom. My sincere condolences in the loss of your husband and father. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Marion. He was a delightful mans man and I always enjoyed talking with him.
Shawn K Hankins
May 12, 2016
My heartfelt condolences to the family. Always cherish the memories that you have and remember that God is always there for us like it tells us at 1Peter 5:6,7. I hope you continue to feel the love and support from your family and friends.
Mrs Vhee
May 12, 2016
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