A Moffett man thrown from his horse Wednesday afternoon died in a Tyler hospital Thursday morning from a massive head injury.

The daughter of 60-year-old John Craig said that his doctors at East Texas Medical Center told the family they had done all they could do just before he died around 3:20 a.m. Thursday. Craig was air-lifted from Highway 103 east to ETMC after the accident occurred at his Moffett home around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday. Lufkin Fire and Moffett Volunteer Fire Department were the first on the scene.

"I just want to thank all the people that took care of him," said Craig's daughter, Lottie Gann. "The medics, the helicopter pilot, the techs that stayed with him throughout the day and the medical staff at ETMC, they were all wonderful. They did more for him than I could have asked for. The techs didn't leave his side and those are our local guys. That means a lot to us."

Gann said that because of her father's love for horses, the animal will not be put down. Craig had gotten the horse five months ago and was getting accustomed to riding it, she said. Neighbors witnessed the horse "going crazy" just before throwing Craig to the ground.

"The neighbors said after the horse threw him he got up, dusted himself off and put his things back into his pockets, then he just fell down and started shaking," she said. "I can't blame the horse for what happened though. When it's your time to go, it's your time. Nothing can change that. We don't have any intention of having it put down."

Craig never regained consciousness after falling, Gann added.

"Things like this in life you never plan for, but we're making it," she said.

Graveside services for Craig will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Gann Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Carroway-Claybar Funeral Home in Lufkin.