Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
✓ Unlimited website access 24/7 ✓ Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 ✓ The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.
As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill.
Sorry, no promotional deals were found matching that code.
Promotional Rates were found for your code.
Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Welcome! We hope that you enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in or create an account to continue reading.
Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribe purchase a subscription to continue reading.
Thank you for signing in! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Checking back? Since you viewed this item previously you can read it again.
Partly cloudy skies. Low 58F. Winds light and variable..
Partly cloudy skies. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.
Gerome Crayton is on the list for a kidney transplant. In spite of many physical challenges, he has reached out to those in need for many years, but now needs some help himself. His philosophy on life is reflected in the message on his hat, and his choice of a background of a world map for this photo: “God Over Everything.”
Gerome Crayton is on the list for a kidney transplant. In spite of many physical challenges, he has reached out to those in need for many years, but now needs some help himself. His philosophy on life is reflected in the message on his hat, and his choice of a background of a world map for this photo: “God Over Everything.”
Some people just quietly help others and don’t complain about their own ailments. Gerome Crayton of Keokuk is one of them. He has stage 5 kidney failure and needs help with expenses when he gets a new kidney. He’ll be the beneficiary of a golf outing to be held on Saturday, July 30 at 3 p.m. at Deer Run Golf Course in Hamilton, Illinois. It will be a four-person scramble/shotgun start with a 50/50 drawing and prize money based on participation. The cost is $45 per person or $180 for a team, which includes 18 holes of golf and a cart, plus a dinner. For information and to register, contact Cindy Figge at 904-703-2435, or mail payments to Cindy Figge, 131 N. 20th St., Hamilton, IL 62341, with checks payable to Deer Run Golf Course.
Although raised in Tennessee, Crayton has lived in Keokuk for 25 years and has made an impact on many lives through his volunteering with many organizations such as: Big Brother Big Sister; Great River Players; Talbot House; Homeless Alliance Committee; Lydia’s House; Fine Arts Council. Even his employment reflects a desire to help others: First Resources Corp.; Lexington Square; Iowa Home Base Services; Levering Regional Health Care in Hannibal, Missouri. He is also known through his Tastebuds Catering and Vending service.
Now Crayton needs a kidney and still doesn’t complain, even with all the challenges he has had over the years.
“I was busy being a teenager when I was diagnosed with hypertension at 19 or 20,” he said. “I smoked, drank, did drugs, and didn’t take care of my body. Like most young people, I thought I was invincible. After years of not taking care of myself, it all caught up with me to where I’m on dialysis three times a week. That’s after being hospitalized in Quincy at least half a dozen times for congestive heart failure.”
At this stage of his life, his choices are to remain on dialysis, going three times a week at 5 a.m., four hours session, or petition for a kidney transplant. He chose the latter and is on the list.
Cindy Figge of Hamilton found about his need for a kidney and also about his need to make up his wages during the four to six weeks he’ll be out of work after the transplant. She came up with the idea for a golf outing to raise money for him.
“I’ve known Gerome and his wife Bridgetta for quite a while, 20 years at least, and just had an urge to do something to help with expenses,” said Figge. “I felt like God was leading me to it.”
Crayton has had some ups and downs with the whole thing. “A good friend volunteered to donate and everything was perfect – no health issues and the blood typed matched – except the donor kidney turned out to be too small,” he said. “My blood type is B+ and I’m compatible with O+ and O-. I’m pretty high on the donor list, but I have to have a stress test soon to make sure my heart is strong enough to undergo the surgery.”
Even with the disappointment of the size mismatch, the upcoming stress test, and knowing that he will need funds to make up lost income somehow, he remains optimistic. “I have to take the stress off my wife Bridgetta who works part time. She’s been a trooper through all of this,” he remarked.
His optimism is based on faith. “I’m just being patient and letting God do what He does,” he affirmed. “I trust Him that what I’m going through is for my eternal good. I’m grateful to all those who have prayed for me and who stop me when I’m out shopping and ask how I’m doing. It means a lot to me just to know someone cares.”
“On Jan. 3, 2021, I got this assignment to a new life, living with stage 5 kidney failure,” he said. “I have learned so much about myself, people and life, and I’m so grateful that God chose me. I’m OK with it.”
He is looking forward to getting a new kidney and continuing to serve others. His ending remark said it all: “We can’t allow what we can’t control to consume us, but we can allow Him who controls all to consume us.”
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Partly cloudy skies. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.
Partly cloudy skies. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.
Plentiful sunshine. High around 85F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Get the latest local and national news.