Aaren R. Craycraft

Aaren Rashad Craycraft, 23, of Springfield, Ohio passed away unexpectedly in his home Friday, July 2, 2021. He was born January 21, 1998, to Tara Craycraft and Shawn Gaines. He is survived by his maternal grandmother Denise Craycraft and his paternal Grandparents Milton and Roxanne Gaines. Aaren leaves to cherish his fiancé Mara Chaney, his son Chase Paul Craycraft, and his bonus son Oliver Allen. He also leaves behind 14 brothers and sisters, including Treyvaughn Whitaker and Robert Whitaker III. In addition to his Gaines and Craycraft family, Aaren was blessed to be a part of the Whitaker family, where he leaves behind several other family members including his lifelong role model, father figure, and friend Robert Whitaker Jr. Other survivors include his Uncle Josh Craycraft, Aunt Dawn Craycraft & cousins Avery, Cadence, and Toby Craycraft. Aaren was preceded in death by his "Pappy" Jake Craycraft and his great grandmother Teresa Hogan. Aaren loved sports and fishing but loved being a father to Chase Paul even more. Aaren had recently applied for real estate school and was awaiting his acceptance. He was employed as a roofer and was planning to open his own power washing business soon. Throughout his youth and high school years, Aaren played football and baseball where he gained not only his nickname, Coach Cray a.k.a Cray, but also some of his best childhood memories with his peers, coaches, and friends. Aaren graduated from Springfield High in 2016 where he played football, baseball, and was a member of the Springfield High School choir. Throughout high school, Aaren found joy volunteering with his Pappy on the Clark County Special Olympics Bowling League. Along Aaren’s short journey here on earth, he met many friends whom he cherished, especially his youth and high school sports teammates; but he found a lifelong bond with four of them whom he considers his brothers forever; Tayvon Kerby, Robbie DeLong, Dylan Youngblood, and Dre Tom. Family will receive friends Friday, July 9, 2021, from 2-4pm with services following, at Richards, Raff, and Dunbar Memorial Home 838 E. High Street Springfield, Ohio 45505. A gathering following the services at the Memorial Home will take place at the VFW 1237 E. Main Street Springfield, Ohio 45505. Memorial Contributions may be made in Aaren’s name to Springfield Youth Baseball Association (S.Y.B.A) PO Box 867 Springfield, Ohio 45501. The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has prayed, called, came by, or sent flowers, food, and gifts; each one of your kind gestures has provided the family with the comfort they need during this difficult time. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.richardsraffanddunbar.com.