Obituary of Alfred Clayton Craichy

Alfred Clayton "Clay" Craichy, 87, active for years in LaBelle aviation and real estate businesses as well as community organizations, died Thursday, April 3, after an extended illness. Mr. Craichy moved to LaBelle in 1966 and was active in the Jaycees. He was involved during the early years of the Swamp Cabbage Festival, and organized the air show that for a number of years was a part of the festival. A veteran of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne, he worked in the local area as a crop duster and pilot and also founded A. Clay Craichy Real Estate in the 1970s in LaBelle. Mr. Craichy worked as a crop duster and pilot in Central and South America and Nebraska. He is preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Gladys Craichy and his sisters Fran Chase and Josephine Stephens. Surviving are his children KC (Monica) Craichy, Julie (Wayne) Wilkins, and John (Karen) Craichy; a sister Alice (Linville) Helton; a brother Roger (Sharon) Craichy; grandchildren Charlie, Michael, Johnathan, Kyle, Austin, Sarah, Grace, Joshua, Chassey, Kristopher, Matthew, Coby, Montana, and Jacqueline; and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Craichy spent his final year at Oakbrook of LaBelle, where services were held Saturday, April 5. 2014 with Pastor Clifford Avery officiating Cremation Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle.