Pamela Gayle (Fast) Crafton

Pamela Gayle (Fast) Crafton, 57, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 26, 2022, in Sedalia.Pam had a bright smile and a big heart. She spent her life helping others by guiding high school students to college, raising her kids, enjoying life with her husband, and as a cherished sister, aunt, and daughter.

Pam was born May 1,1965 in El Dorado Springs. She graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1983 as the captain of the drill team and the newspaper editor. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg with a major in English and minor in Journalism and began her teaching career as an English and Journalism teacher in El Dorado Springs and Versailles before moving to Sedalia.

She returned to CMSU to earn her Master’s degree in Counseling and became a Licensed Professional Counselor. Pam retired in May after 28 years with the Sedalia school district as a yearbook advisor, English teacher and high school counselor. She had returned in August to fill a needed role at a Sedalia elementary school.

Pam loved all things bright, fun, and full of life. She was a wonderful photographer, fantastic to talk to, grew beautiful flowers, and loved to get lost in a great book. Pam’s family and friends describe her as “comforting, heartwarming, big hugs, laughter, happy, and a great listener.” She will be dearly missed.

Pam’s family was the focal point of her life. The night she met Joe Crafton, he said he wanted to marry her, and they have been happily married since 1993. Their world was usually filled with jokes and laughter as they raised their family and went on cross country road trips and weekend getaways.

Pam is preceded in death by her father, Jimmie Dale Fast, and her daughter, Ami Crafton.

Pam is survived by her mother, Ruby Fast of El Dorado Springs; sisters, Angela Sylvester, and Jan Beckmann; her husband, Joe Crafton; son, Nick Crafton; granddaughter, Chloee Crafton; parents-in-law, George and Phebe Crafton; sister-in-law, Karen Crafton all of Sedalia; and her nieces and nephews, Cecelia, Mitchell, and Charlotte Beckmann; Lauryn Sylvester; Valerie and Logan Henderson; and Wesley, Katelyn, and Chase Shipps.

A celebration of life was held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Rea Funeral Chapel in Sedalia. Family received friends from 5 – 7 p.m. prior to the service.