Obituary of Danny L. Crafton

Danny Lee Crafton, 69, of Hansen, Idaho, passed away from an apparent heart attack at home on February 8, 2019 with his wife, Anita, at his side. He was born May 23, 1949 in Twin Falls, Idaho, and grew up on a farm in Buhl. He graduated from Buhl High School where he loved playing football and wrestling. He interrupted college to join the Idaho National Guard and serve with the 101^st Airborne during the Vietnam War. He continued his Guard service with the Idaho National Guard for many years.  

Danny’s 30 year law-enforcement career began with the Idaho State Police in eastern Idaho in 1970. He returned to the Magic Valley and worked for the Twin Falls Police Department, cross-straining with the fire department as a Public Safety Officer, fire fighter, and EMT, retiring with the rank of sergeant. He then worked for the Buhl Police Department, retiring a second time as acting lieutenant. Danny drove truck for Wagner Transportation on days off from the police department. After hanging up his gun and shield, he went to work full time as an over-the-road truck driver with Montana Express. He subsequently drove for Giltner Transportation and Sunrise Express, retiring for the third time in 2014.

Danny’s hobbies included hunting and fishing with his dad and brother as a young man, but his love for animals won out in his later years. He took pride in the “Crafton Ranchette” where he and Anita trained dogs and raised Pygmy show goats for a few years. At the time of his death, he was focusing on recreational activities such as fishing and engaging in political commentary on several online forums. He was an unabashed patriotic American with a deep love for his family and country.

Danny is survived by his forever-friend and wife of 18 years, Anita; his children, daughters Vicki Brook of Buhl, Idaho; Stacie Heiberg of Beaverton, Oregon; Melissa Homer of Yakima, Washington; and son, David Crafton, Twin Falls, Idaho; his beloved German Shepherd, Ukas; sisters, Diana Bishop of Oregon, Geri Winslow of Utah, and Mae Serkin of California; former wife, Jeana Calico Asay of Twin Falls, Idaho; five granddaughters Tja Maxwell, Ali Churchman, Reatta Omoth, Kayla Heiberg, and Sophie Hart; one great-granddaughter, Emma Maxwell; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel R. Crafton and Mary Lily (Hadley) Crafton, and his younger brother, Ivan Maurice “Bill” Crafton.

A visitation will be held at Rosenau Funeral Home, 2826 Addison Avenue East, Twin Falls, ID, on Thursday, February 14, from 6 to 8pm. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 15, 2019 at 11:00am at Rosenau Funeral Home, followed by interment in Buhl. In lieu of flowers, contributions for Danny’s funeral expenses can be made at GoFundMe [https://tinyurl.com/y4wn6dor] or, to his favorite charity, People for Pets Magic Valley Humane Society https://twinfallsanimalshelter.com/.