Donald Gene Caraway

Donald Gene Caraway, 60, passed on the 15th of August 2019 in St Louis University Hospital, MO. Pastor Don, owner of Federated Auto Parts in Murphysboro and Pastor of Camp Creek Baptist Church, and Pate Chapel was born to Charles and Marry Caraway on the third of June 1959 in Murphysboro Illinois. He was the youngest of 4 children preceded by Charlotte, Mary Lou, and William (Bill) Caraway. Don was active in the church from a young age, attending Crab Orchard Cristian Church with his family. During his younger years he was very active in sports, primarily baseball. Don graduated from Murphysboro High School in the class of 1976, early due to outstanding performance, and married Ebbie Moore. On November 5th 1977 his first child, Justin Caraway was brought into this world in Carbondale, IL. In 1978 he was also being groomed for a professional baseball career with the Houston Astros. After hearing the call to share the gospel, however he left summer training and began learning more about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He attended seminary mail in courses until his second child Joshua Caraway was born on the 16th of September 1980 in Carbondale, IL. This radical change in his life allowed him to hear the call to serve his country. Don joined the army in 1983 and was honorably discharged the same year due to injuries sustained in basic training. Shortly after he met his wife June Caraway, they were married on the third of July 1984 in Lufkin Texas. On December 21, 1985 he fathered Donald Caraway II and then moved back to southern IL to start a telecommunications business. After selling this business in 1987 he took a position as distribution manager for the paper in Junction City Kansas where his youngest child, Shane Caraway, was born on 9th of June. Looking to move on to bigger and better living he then took an interview in Billings MT for the Billings Gazette. He worked there for several years raising his family and taking better positions as they became available. After a few years of hard work for the paper he answered the call to serve the Lord as the Pastor of Pyramid Baptist Church. Due to the declining health of Charlie Caraway he moved the family back to southern Illinois, where he worked as an auto parts salesman and pastored several churches. He took over ownership of Federated Auto Parts in Murphysboro IL and pastored Sato Baptist church for 15 years after Charlie passed. He served as the pastor of Camp Creek Baptist church and Pate Chapel for the remainder of his life. Pastor Donald G Caraway, SR was a skilled, warm hearted man serving the community and investing in people his entire life. He humbly gave to individuals in need often refusing to see it return to him or receiving any recognition of his actions. His love for Christ and dedication to walking in his footsteps bound the city of Murphysboro. He dedicated his life to the mission of gathering churches together for celebration and to see more enter the kingdom of Heaven. He was a fighter, always doing what needed to be done regardless of the time and personal toll it may have taken on him. He found the most peace on the back nine of any golf course that would have him, often traveling for hours after a hard work week just to hone his skills and relax. While golf was peaceful for him he approached it with the same tenacity as he did everything else in his life. Somehow he seemed to easily pick up and hone new skills adapting to each situation with ease. His eye for talent in others was exceptional as well. He groomed his grandson Elijah, whom he took on as a son, in golf so that someday he would get a scholarship for college. His love for Jesus was no different. Each church that he pastored saw his dedication and devotion and subsequently nearly doubled in size. His desire to help those in need often saw him decreasing sales numbers to help the many mechanics in our area get the parts they needed to put food on the table for their families. He was the first to offer both hands to pick you up if life had you down, instinctively knowing who was struggling without them saying a word. He rarely boasted of his many skills and often dodged any lime-light that was pointed his way. He somehow seemed to add hours to the day to get his work done, help out two or three other people, and still have a sermon prepared for Sunday. Though he took notes he rarely followed them often extending services to no one’s complaint, unless there was a potluck waiting. He loved without limit those who would accept it, and could always make light of hard work. A true husband, father, and brother he knew when to reach out, and when to let you stumble a bit before stepping in. Don was preceded in death by his father, Charlie and his brother William (Bill). He is survived by his wife, June; children, Justin, Joshua, Donald, and Shane; step children, Justin Roberts and Amber Maree; grandchildren, Zane, Ashton, Solomon, Jade, Elexis, Hallie, Elijah, Anaiya, Evelyn, and Jayden. A Celebration of Life, hosted by the family, will be on August 24 at 4pm in Pate Chapel, Murphysboro, followed by a potluck reception. Drinks, desserts, and sides are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations for medical bills and family needs can be made to Shane Caraway at Federated Auto Parts. Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Donald Gene Caraway

June 3, 1959 - August 15, 2019