Paul Crain

Paul Welch Crain, lifelong resident of White County and a prominent Searcy businessman, died Tuesday, July 17. Born February 11, 1920, to Leon Welch Crain and Jacob Bradley Crain, Paul joined a family, including brother E.H. (Avie) who farmed in the Mt. Pisgah area. They also owned and operated Crain's General Store. In the early forties, Paul moved his family who included his wife Ouita Harrison Crain and their only child, son Larry Paul, from the family farm to Searcy where he began a career that spanned several decades. They owned and operated West Pleasure Grocery and Sinclair Station on West Pleasure Street. Crain was involved with his father-in-law, Claude Harrison, in the grocery business, First and Last Chance, at the west end of Pleasure Street. Paul served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was stationed in San Diego. After returning to Searcy he did stints with the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in downtown Searcy and as a Standard Coffee Salesman. Then Paul discovered his true calling: peddling! Buying merchandise from Simon Moye, Paul began calling on grocery stores, gas stations, cafes, and bait shops. He worked from the trunk of his 1953 Chevy. With his keen business sense and his dry humor he became a favorite with his customers. Soon he went into business for himself, converting the family garage into a warehouse and upgrading to a panel truck. His slogan was "No Pain, No Strain when you deal with Crain." As the business grew, Paul bought a used truck from Homer Ridout and changed the signage from Ridout and Son to Crain and Son. Later, Paul's brother Avie, Wendel Pettus and Hartsell Capps joined the sales force In 1966 Larry moved his family to Searcy from Little Rock where he had been employed as a CPA with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell, and Co. The Crains built their first warehouse on West Pleasure Street, and Crain Sales Company became a parts distributor for Motorcraft, AC/Delco, and other automotive lines in addition to health and beauty products, and other sundries. Mr. Paul, as he was affectionately known to all the staff, continued his sales route while being involved in many aspects of the growing business. Around the 4th of July he could be found selling fireworks from the warehouse to area youth including his three grandsons, Larry, Marc, and Chris. He and his wife, Ouita, enjoyed following the sports careers of those three and their friends. Paul dabbled at farming and kept a horse for the grandsons for many years. During the years that his son and then grandsons spent at the U of A, Paul became an avid Razorback fan, and he proudly wore his red blazer to many Hog games. After Ouita's death, Paul spent less time with the parts business and became involved with real estate. As the owner of several apartments and other rental property, Paul took great interest in those renters, and they became good friends. He bought and developed land in west Searcy and enjoyed watching Searcy's growth. He cultivated a circle of friends who met for breakfast, or donuts, or lunch, and the circle grew in numbers as more folks retired. He spent many hours visiting at Sprout's and Keith's Pawn Shop and enjoyed swapping good stories. The proud great grandfather of eight, Paul had his home filled with family pictures, and he loved celebrating birthdays and holidays when the family came to visit. Paul was a member of the West Race Baptist Church for over sixty years, and he was involved in the Men's Sunday School and active in the church ministries. During his recent illness and confinement to his home, a group from the church had come regularly for Bible Study. His survivors include son Larry and wife Janett of Searcy, grandsons Larry and wife Joy of Little Rock, Marc of Avon, Colorado, and Chris and wife Jennifer of Conway: great grandchildren Chandler, Chase, Carrington, Christian, Cenzington, and Covington Crain of Little Rock, and Camryn and Caroline Crain of Conway: a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Roger Elliott of Searcy, sister-in-law Pat Duncan of Searcy, friend and companion Freda Baldwin of Searcy, cousins, nieces, nephews, step-son, Dennis Rongey of Searcy, step-granddaughter, Shannan Bunch of Los Angeles, California, friends and neighbors. Paul's second wife, Johnny Rongey Crain and a step-daughter, Gwen Rongey Clubb predeceased him. A

Paul Crain

February 11, 1920 - July 17, 2007