Joe R. Crafton, Sr.
A passionate sportsman, Joe Crafton Sr. received great joy from mentoring and passing on his love of shooting sports to the next generation, just as he is depicted here. Mr. Crafton served in the U.S. Army in Berlin, Germany, and later received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee. His namesake at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, The Joe Reeves Crafton, Sr. Shotgun Range, will perpetuate his love of the outdoors to generations of young people. The Boy Scouts of America is grateful for the generous gift from Joe R. Crafton Jr. to establish the Joe Reeves Crafton, Sr. Shotgun Range in memory of his father at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve.
Joe R. Crafton, Sr. grew up bird hunting in Stanton, Tennessee, with his father and brother. A conservationist, lover of dogs, and lifelong gentleman sportsman, he taught his four sons to be conservationist/sportsmen, to appreciate God’s creations, and to assume responsibility for land and wildlife stewardship.
It is to him that Hunter's Hall was dedicated on July 24, 2017.
Back Row (left to right): Dr. Gene Crafton, Nick Crafton Front Row (left to right): Hugh Crafton, Joe Crafton, Jr.
Stanton, Tennessee.
Joe R. Crafton, Jr.
Serving as Past-President of Circle Ten Council, Joe Crafton retired as Chief Executive Officer of CROSSMARK, Inc in 2014 and founded Wingshooter Investments, LLC. The firm’s investment focus is in wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation companies. Assets include Collectors Covey of Dallas, TX. Collectors Covey has a national reputation as a leader in fine wildlife and sporting art. In its 40 years, Collectors Covey has made direct donations of over $10 million to wildlife conservation. Wingshooter is redeveloping the historic Dallas Hunting and Fishing Club, a 850 acre hunting and fishing club on the Trinity River in Dallas County, Texas. The club was incorporated in 1885 and has been continuously operated ever since making it the forth oldest club of its kind in the US. Wildrose Texas is an affiliate of Wildrose Kennels of Oxford, MS and is the most respected breeder and trainer of British Labs in the US. Wildrose, Texas was founded in 2017 and is located on the campus of the Dallas Hunting and Fishing Club.
Joe is the founder of numerous wildlife conservation groups including Park Cities Quail and Quail Coalition. Presently at 4,000 members, Quail Coalition has donated over $30 million to quail research and education since 2007. He is a director at the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation and is on the Upland Advisory Committee for Texas Parks and Wildlife. Joe serves on the board of Texan By Nature and the Trinity Park Conservancy. Joe leads Christian Sportsman Fellowship in Dallas and is responsible for the annual Sportsman’s Prayer Breakfast at the Dallas Safari Club where he is a lifetime member.
Joe is an active volunteer and President of the National Executive Board. In 2017 the BSA opened the Joe Crafton Sportsman Complex at the Bechtel Summit National Scout Reserve near Beckley West Virginia. Where they teach the legacy of BSA in shooting sports and the integral relationship between hunting and wildlife conservation.
Joe is the father of three sons and lives in Dallas with his wife Amy Simmons Crafton.
