Craycraft was reported missing in the water around 3 p.m. Friday.
He was presumed drowned after he slipped into a section of Buck Creek and never resurfaced.
Search teams found his body shortly after 4:30 p.m. in the area of the creek near the waterfall feature. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Craycraft had come to the Buck Creek area off Snyder Park Road with family members to cool off and enjoy the water, said Capt. Matt Davis of the Springfield Fire/Rescue Division.
Kerissa Craycraft, the victim’s wife, said he was standing on rocks and reaching down to his child in the water when he slipped.
Kerissa described her husband as caring, loving and hard-working.
“He strived everyday to make life better for us and for everyone he ran across,” she said. The two had been together for several years and were at the park with four of their children.
Davis noted the area where Craycraft’s body was recovered is dangerous due to strong currents and slippery rocks.
Springfield Fire Division crews in wet suits were in the water during the search, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Mad River Twp. fire departments launched boats, and a dive team also responded from WPAFB.
A GoFundMe has been created to assist the family with funeral expenses.
