Craig Evan Brayton

 Craig Brayton’s courageous battle with cancer came peacefully to an end on March 1, 2021.
Just as he wanted, he was home and surrounded by family and visited by close friends. The plan
for the winter was to spend it in Arizona in the RV. When his health took a downturn in
January, Craig and his wife, Cally, headed back to the bitter cold in the Midwest. His escape
from the dread of the operation, doctor visits and times spent in the hospital was the times he
could spend with his brother, Jeff, (the two of them by the fireplace, poking at the fire with no
words necessary). Brothers but also life-long friends, they lived near each other for most of
their adult lives. Often, they even worked at the same job. Craig adored Jeff’s wife, Angie. She
was an angel on earth and kept his spirits high in spite of the situation.
A hard worker at everything he attempted in life, Craig loved to share knowledge he gained
along the way. He became an accomplished carpenter and could build anything. However, he
was more than just a carpenter and his skills reached deep into every area of construction or
installation. He was always available to help family with repairs.
He had a huge heart, many loving friends and love of all animals (especially dogs). Craig
claimed the family dog, Missy, as his own when he was just 4 years old and that dog traveled in
a little trailer behind his bike. Every time he jumped on the bike, the dog jumped in the trailer.
After that first love, he adopted many dogs. Jimmy John and Missy II (the 2nd) gave him much
comfort in his final days on Earth.
He had an obsession for old cars. Later in his adult life he joined the Ford Unlimited Car Club,
Mustang Club of America, Show-Me Mustang Club and Route 66 Club. Craig and Cally attended
many car shows and made a lot of good friends in the process. In his Imperial home, he
practically lived in his big garage with his prized car, trophies, car posters, pictures from the car
shows and massive collection of license plates from every state.
Grandchildren were the light of his life and Nathan and Stella loved the things he loved. In
Craig’s last visit to Michigan, he and Nathan had tons of competitive fun playing games and
Nathan enjoyed his grandpa picking him up from school every day. Stella spent a lot of time
with her Papa in the garage and even had her own mini Mustang! Both grandchildren caught
the bug of enthusiasm for car shows from him.
Craig entertained us with his countless funny one-liners or “Craig-isms” as we called them. New
ones would pop up all the time! One we frequently heard (especially at Thanksgiving)…
”I don’t eat it if it swims or flies or even tries.” (He only ate beef and pork.)
Another favorite…
“I’d rather owe it to you than screw you out of it!”
Craig Evan Brayton was born on November 3, 1961 to Glenn and Lorene Brayton as the
youngest of 4 children. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He leaves the following family members to cherish his memory. Cally Brayton, loving, caring
wife of almost 20 years. Daughter, Amy (Mike) Wojcik and grandson, Nathan Wojcik. Siblings
Sheila Peterson, Glenda (Ron) Schmiedebush and Jeff (Angie) Brayton. Niece, Amanda (Jason)
Wohlfahrt. Nephews, James (Tamra) Cooper and Jeffrey Brayton. Also, great nieces and
nephews.
Father-in-law, Stan VanMeter, mother-in-law, Maxine VanMeter and step mother-in-law
Sadonna Morgan-Fletcher. Step son, Tyler (Hannah) Johnston & step daughter, Brettany Cline
and grandchildren, Christopher Johnston, Lilly Johnston and Stella Berger. Brothers-in-law,
Charlie (Cindy) Fletcher, Morgan (Mary) Fletcher-Countryman, Brad (Tobie) VanMeter, Bryan
VanMeter, Brent (Arlene) VanMeter and Blaine (Melissa) VanMeter and sister-in-law, Devanna
(Willard) Justice. Also, great nieces and nephews gained through marriage.
A private celebration of Craig’s life will be held at his sister’s home in Creve Coeur on Saturday,
May 22nd for his close friends and family. More details to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in his name to St. Jude’s or visit a “Go Fund Me”
page set up to help his wife with the many medical expenses incurred over the last 3 years.

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