Ottie L. Craycraft-French

August 1, 1937 - June 27, 2017

CRAYCRAFT-FRENCH, Ottie L. age 79, of Lebanon, passed away Tues. June 27, 2017. Ottie was a member of the St. Matthew Catholic Church in Franklin, TN. While residing in different parts of the country, he was also active in the local Moose, Elks, Knights of Columbus, and FOE. He greatly enjoyed golfing, bowling, billiards, and horse racing. When he was young, he trained and showed horses. Throughout the years, and with his wife by his side, Ottie traveled across the United States, roaming free and being gone for weeks at a time. A man with a bigger than life personality, conversation came easy with friends and with strangers. He was very vocal, had a great sense of humor, and loved to talk and learn about people. He is described as being "one of a kind!" He was preceded in death by one son Jimmy Pence; his parents Carson and Jessie French; and adopted parents Lela and Riley Craycraft. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Mary Jean French; four sons Ottie L. (Branta) Craycraft Jr., Darrell Brown, Micheal (Peggy) Colville, Jonathon Craycraft; five daughters Vicki Hawk, Becky French, Caroline K. Wright, Kimberly (Jeff) Myers, and Jessica Craycraft; 22 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; one brother Howard (Clara) French; and two sisters Doris Gifford and Joyce (Stanley) Hanson. A celebration of life service will be held 1:30 PM Sat. July 1 at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home, Waynesville. Andrea King will be celebrating Ottie's life. Burial will be in Miami Cemetery, Corwin. The family will receive friends 6 - 8 PM Fri. at the funeral home. If desired, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.