John Kee ”J.K.” Crain, III, 81, of Greenville, passed away on June 7, 2024, at his residence. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jeff Gravens officiating. Interment will be at 2:30 P.M. at English Cemetery in English, Texas. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Monday, June 10, 2024, at the funeral home.
J.K. was born to John Kee Crain II and Lillian Mae Harlow Crain on July 10, 1942, in Denton, Texas. He attended Austin Elementary School, Sulphur Springs, and was a 1960 graduate of Sulphur Springs High School. J.K.’s college years were spent at East Texas State College (1964), Texas A&M University, College Station (1967), and East Texas State University, Commerce (1990, 1992), where he ultimately received a Doctorate of Education.
J.K. worked for 37 years at E-Systems, Greenville, as a Sr. Engineer. He also worked at E-systems, Garland, Raytheon, and L3 in the same capacities for years after his employment in Greenville. J.K. later served at East Texas State University as the Interim Department Head/Professor in the Computer Science and Technology Department and as an Independent Contractor with NASA, Maryland.
J.K. married Carol Ann Stutts on February 22, 1962 and was married for 34 years before she died in 1997. He married Melba Hayes on July 27, 2002 and remained married for 22 years.
J.K. was ordained as a deacon at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Greenville, where he was a member for 31 years. He is a current member of First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs, and taught Sunday School at both churches. He followed Jesus Christ and shared his faith with many people, and his love of God shaped his entire life. Nothing gave him more happiness and satisfaction than his family and helping others. His interests were farming, raising cattle, welding, and reading.
J.K. is survived by his wife, Melba Marie Crain; daughters, Debbie Driggers and husband, Terry; Jeannie Ash and husband, Stephen; step-daughter, Tanuja Born and husband, Jason; step-son, Kai-Marc Hayes; grandchildren, Ryan Driggers, Kyle Weeks and Connor Weeks; step-grandchildren, Emrick, Ridgely, and Jake Born; a sister, Cathy McDowra and husband, Gary; and two nieces, Mandy Ragan and Marcy Langston.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Carol Ann (Stutts) Crain, and his parents.
Pallbearers will be Terry Driggers, Ryan Driggers, Stephen Ash, Kyle Weeks, Connor Weeks, and Sean Tredway.
Family would be honored by a donation in J.K.’s memory to Family First Hospice, Greenville.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Bob Deuell and Family First Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care for J.K.
