September 26, 1932 – March 9, 2022
MIDDLESEX – James Bruce Crater, Jr., 89, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday. He was born in Salisbury, NC, in Yadkin County to the late James Bruce & Julia Howard Franck Crater, Sr. He was a proud Eagle Scout. Bruce won the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarship. He entered UNC Chapel Hill as a Midshipman in the Naval Reserve and served for 3 years until his honorable discharge. He received his BA in English from UNC Chapel Hill in 1955. During his time at UNC Chapel Hill, he became a lifetime member of Chi Psi fraternity, was a part of the Men’s Honor Council, was a lettered JV Basketball player, and later joined the UNC General Alumni Association.
Bruce worked as a Certified Medical Representative for Lakeside Laboratories then Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical until his retirement. Bruce was an active and devoted member of Hayes Barton United Methodist Church and Rocky Cross Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by first wife, Crama Strickland Crater, his second wife Inez Mullen Crater, & third wife, Emily Mitchell Crater. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Julia Ann Crater Rand.
Funeral 11:30 am, Saturday, March 19, 2022, Rocky Cross Baptist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery.
He is survived by his children, James Bruce Crater III, Leigh Crater Williams, grandchildren, Lauren Liston Knight (Ben), James Bruce Crater, IV, & many close & special extended family.
Flowers are welcomed, or memorials may be to Parkinson’s Foundation https://www.parkinson.org/ways-to-give or to Dementia Society of America https://www.dementiasociety.org/donate.
Visitation 6-7:30 pm, Friday, March 18, 2022, Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, 211 W. Third St., Wendell. www.stricklandfuneral.com.
6 Comments
My prayers and thoughts are with the family. I had the privilege of knowing Mr. Bruce over the past few yrs. He will be missed.
I am truly honored I had the pleasure to care for a wonderful man that will always hold a special place in my heart. He was truly one of a kind, I cry with happy memories of him and the time he spent here on earth surrounded by love. Family be strong I’m always gonna be a text away.
This is officially goodbye you don’t have to be the gentleman you always were and walk me to the door.
-Lekeisha Joyner(CNA)
Bruce Crater was a fine, and honest gentleman. He was a person you could depend on, and always kind with a jovial laugh. I am very thankful to have known him.
I had the privilege of working for Bruce for nearly 30 years. Every Thursday I would go over and clean his house. On those Thursdays we would talk and laugh sometimes eat lunch together and he become a very good friend.. my Thursdays will never be the same. Rest in peace Bruce. You will be missed..
Bruce was a faithful member of the Spring Hope Seniors and thoroughly enjoyed the friendship of all its members. I shall miss his sweet smile.
He was my service customer for many years. I loved Mr. Crater. So sad to learn of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
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