Tribute to Roy Crane (1923-2007)

My father-in-law, Roy Crane, passed away at the age of 83 on Monday, February 19. He had been in poor health for the last several years, but he died from acute toxic shock after being transported to the hospital by ambulance. He is survived by my mother-in-law, Vera Crane, who is in her later 70s. She had been my father-in-law's primary health care provider in recent years. My mother-in-law did not want to see her husband placed in a nursing home or in an assisted care facility, so she provided the love and attention that only a wife of nearly sixty years could give. She transported her husband to the doctor's office and took him to see their children and grandchildren on special occasions. Although we will miss him greatly, he is now with his Father in heaven, and he is a far better place.

Nancy's dad was born in Farmington, Michigan, and he grew up in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. His folks later bought a farm in southern Indiana, but he did not live there. Roy enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked. He served in India, Burma, and China under General Stilwell. After the war, he married Vera Abbey on August 2, 1947.

He attended Olivet Nazarene College for a year, and then he enrolled at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, where he graduated in 1951. Roy and Vera returned to Roseville, Michigan, where they lived together for over fifty years and raised a family of seven children. Dad taught math and driver's education in the St. Clair Shores School District. He was also very active in his church, serving as a deacon and moderator several times over the years. And one of his favorite things was to take the family up to the family cottage in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. All of us enjoyed going to Piatt Lake, where Grandpa Crane took great delight in being "King of the Raft." We have many great memories of the days we spent at the cottage.

My father-in-law was a repesentative what Tom Brokaw has called the "Greatest Generation." I concur with Tom Brokaw. It was most fitting that there was a military honor guard at the cemetery. When the two soldiers folded the American flag that had been draped over the casket and presented it to my mother-in-law, it was an emotional moment indeed. Dad had fought to defend this country, and he was rightly honored at the time of his death. Several of his grandchildren have volunteered to serve their country in the military. He was proud of their willingness to do so.

My wife Nancy is the oldest of the seven children. The Cranes also have thirty-eight grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. At the funeral service on (which was held on Saturday, February 24), 37 of the 38 grandchildren were present, along with 14 of the 15 great-grandchildren. In my personal remarks during the funeral service, I pointed out the rows of grandchildren and great-grandchildren and stated that they represented my father-in-law's "greatest legacy." Faith Baptist Church in Warren, Michigan, provided a lunch for the members of the family, and we were able to take several photos of those who were present. This photo includes the grandchildren, the great-grandchildren, and Grandma Crane sitting right in the middle. When she came up to take her seat, the kids cheered and applauded her. That WAS an emotional moment.


















The last time that Grandpa and Grandma Crane visited us here in Minnesota was when Andy graduated from high school in 2005. They flew from Detroit to Minneapolis on Northwest Airlines. Although it was a little difficult on Grandpa Crane, he and Grandma managed just fine. We took Grandpa to church and to the graduation ceremony for Andy. He also enjoyed the graduation open house. It just so happened that the next day was Grandpa's 82nd birthday, so we had a party for him. You can see him here blowing out the candles on his cake, along with the help of his great-granddaughter Peyton Rose Vasquez.


















Nancy's dad and mom would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 2, but her dad slipped away before that could happen. On the occasion of their 50th anniversary, we had a great celebration in Michigan. But they were quite the pair, right up to the end. Indeed, it's hard to think of Roy Crane without also thinking of Vera Crane.
















On Nancy's birthday last December 10, she was talking to her dad and mom on the phone. After chatting with her dad for a few minutes, he sang "Happy Birthday" to her over the phone. Even though he was in the twilight of his life, he remembered and recognized one of his children. As Psalm 116:15 so eloquently states, "Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints."