Obituary of Dorothy Mae Craft

Dorothy Mae Craft, a longtime resident of Poquito Bayou, in Shalimar, Florida, passed away on March 19, 2022. Dorothy was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, on February 6,1933, to John and Thelma Leprich. She graduated from North Vernon High School in North Vernon, Indiana, and then attended secretarial school in Louisville, Kentucky, commuting by train under the watchful eyes of her father’s co-workers on the B&O Railroad. Dorothy was working as a secretary at Bakalar AFB in Columbus, Indiana, when she met USAF Lt. Walter B. Craft. They married on October 14,1956, and she embarked on the adventurous life of an Air Force pilot’s wife. Dorothy loved exploring new cuisines and learned to prepare Walter’s favorite Mexican foods after their cross-country honeymoon to Barstow, California, where Walter grew up. She immersed herself in Officers’ Wives’ Club activities such as bridge parties, coffees, and formals, and she knitted beautiful and unique items for OWC fundraising bazaars. Dorothy raised three children while moving households many times, including a trans-Atlantic move to Evreux-Fauville Air Base in France. Dorothy enjoyed visiting European landmarks with her young family, developed a lifelong taste for escargot, and came home with some haute couture pieces including a daring French bikini. A friend sparked Dorothy’s interest in court reporting while the family was stationed at Forbes AFB in Topeka, Kansas, and she completed court reporting school there. Following Walter’s USAF retirement, Dorothy worked as a legal secretary and freelance court reporter while he completed studies for a second career as a business educator. Dorothy joined the Okaloosa County Court system and served as an official county court reporter for more than 25 years. Dorothy was well-known among friends, family, and co-workers for her cooking and baking skills, and the fruits of her labors graced many courthouse and church potluck events. She enjoyed gardening while she was physically able, and loved all animals, especially her beloved rescued and adopted cats. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, by her brother Jack Leprich, and by Walter, her husband of 55 years. She is survived by three children: Terrence W. Craft (Cynthia) of Omaha, NE; Timothy W. Craft of Fort Walton Beach, FL; and Elizabeth C. Brown (Kevin) of Newberry, FL; by grandchildren Kevin Craft of Omaha, NE, and Dorothy Grace “Skip” Brown, of Orlando, FL; and by two great-grandchildren. Burial will be private. The family acknowledges with gratitude the kind care that Dorothy received from the Manor at Bluewater Bay, from Bayport Assisted Living, and from Regency Hospice.