Arnold "Pete" Crain

Mr. Arnold "Pete" Crain, 82 of Gulfport, went on to manage the pastures of heaven on March 20 at The Carpenter House in Gulfport, MS. Mr. Pete was born number ten out of eleven brothers and sisters, on January 07, 1940 in Bogalusa, LA to his parents Nick and Isabel (Ingram) Crain. Just an ole cowboy, Pete started breaking and training horses as young as 13 years old. There wasn't a time Pete wasn't on the back of a horse, his first, being a wild mustang he roped and rescued from Money Hill Plantation. He loved the Rodeo, where he competed in all events. But bucking broncs was his favorite. At age 15, Pete went on and made a living as a farrier or "horse shoer" for those who don't know horse lingo, starting a life for the family he would build just short after. On June 30, 1961 he married his sweet heart, Brenda, and together they built a life having two beautiful children Todd and Tana. A kind sweet man, not to be confused with romantic, but everyone who ever knew Mr. Pete, loved everything about him and loved working for him. Moving his family to MS in 1966, at the age of 26, he managed Windy Hills Ranch, a 580 acre cattle ranch in Lizana, MS. He would also spend some time working under Jim Buck Ross for the MS AG Department where he managed fire ants, the ant man he was, literally! Mr. Pete had several businesses he started. One including Custom farming over 50,000 acres in which he managed and maintained planting and harvesting crops. Mr. Pete also started an AG business where he would spread lime and fertilizer for local farmers all over south MS. His final farm he managed was Sandi-Len farms, for 25.5 years, until he was 80 years old. Most know Sandi-Len farms for their famous Long Horn "Birthday Cake" who Pete regularly had to move to the front pasture so everyone could see on their way to work. Pete came from very a humble up bringing and grew into a very accomplished and legendary farmer all across the state. There wasn't a feed store or rodeo that someone didn't know, Mr. Pete! Pete had a love for his last horse "Baby Doll", who he rode until he was 81 years old, despite how Brenda felt about him being on a horse at that age. It's just what he did and LOVED!! Throughout farming all those years Mr. Pete accomplished so much, his most famous being reviving and restarting the Harrison County Cattleman's Association in the late 1960's, and served as President for over 6 years; in 1970 he was named Harrison County's outstanding young farmer; he served on the Board of Harrison County Farm Bureau for over 20 yrs; he served on the ASCS board in Wiggins for over 10 years; and lastly, his most rewarding being at Sandi-Len farms as the Area 3 Director for the Special Olympics Equestrian program, in which he started and was a part of for 23 years. This group of kids traveled all over the country competing in Worlds, even went as far as Ireland, winning GOLD. Mr. Pete went on to raise 89,000.00 for the group by volunteering trail rides for the community. Aside from his farming accomplishments, Mr. Pete was a husband and father who will be dearly missed by his family he leaves behind. There is no doubt Mr. Pete grieved the inability to continue to farm and do what he loved most toward the end, but we rest knowing he is ranching and riding "baby doll" through new pastures. Mr. Pete is survived by his loving wife of 60 and half years Brenda (Applewhite) Crain of Gulfport, MS, his son Todd (Jettie) Crain of Gulfport, MS, and his daughter Tana Crain of Gulfport, MS. His brothers H.L (Charlene) Crain and Luke (Lisa) Crain both of Bogalusa, LA. as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Nick and Isabel (Ingram) Crain; his sisters Rena Stogner, Eva Miley, and Athalee Williams; and his brothers Hubert, Bufford, Eufford, Houston, and Lavell Crain. Mr. Pete's life of accomplishments will be celebrated at the Harrison County Fair Grounds Arena on April 30 at 1pm. The family requests you come casual or in your Western attire, Mr. Pete was not a fancy man. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Crain family during this difficult time and would ask that you remember Mrs. Brenda, Todd, and Tana in the days to come.