Frank F. Crane, Sr.

FRANK F. CRANE, SR., 90, of Valdosta died Saturday, October 27, 2007 at South Georgia Medical Center after a brief illness. Mr. Crane had made his peace with his Lord Jesus and was prepared for his death when his Lord God Jehovah called him home to heaven. Born in Athens, GA on October 5, 1917, in his parent’s home. He was the son of the late Benjamin Albert and Blanche Crawford Crane. When Frank was nine years old, the Reverend Dr. E. L. Hill, of the First Presbyterian Church in Athens, became a surrogate father to Frank, Jane, Crawford and George after their father’s death. Dr. Hill was very instrumental in shaping Frank’s early life and especially his adult life and Christian values and morals. Frank was a lifelong member and supporter of the Big YMCA in Tallulah Falls, GA and the Athens YMCA. He was a close friend of Cobern Kelley and often took his sons to help build the chapel at Pine Tops Boys Camp outside Athens.

Mr. Crane was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Valdosta where he had served as Deacon and was a volunteer with the Break Bread Together (Meals on Wheels) Program. He was a veteran of the United States Army and invested 20 years in the Army Reserve after having served in World War II. Mr. Crane was a homebuilder in Valdosta with his partner and brother-in-law, Jack S. Martin of Martin & Crane Construction for many years. Mr. Crane was related to the J. Ryce Martin family of Valdosta through marriage. He loved his brothers and sisters-in-law, Doris Berry, Sonny Martin, Dick Martin, Jack S. Martin, and one special surviving sister-in-law, Vern Griffin of Hahira. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite and the York Rite.

Survivors include two sons and a daughter in law, Frank F., Jr and Elsie Crane, and Randy Crane all of Valdosta, four grandchildren, Elizabeth and Jeff Carver, Jennifer Crane, Frank Crane, III and Arianna Ester Crane, three great grandchildren, Catherine Jean Carver, Emily Mary-Elizabeth Carver, Warren Scott Carver, brother in law, R. L. Cauthen of Athens, nieces and nephews, Blanche Brumley, Janie Crane Bush, Becky Crane Hulem, Julie Crane Martin, R. L. Cauthen, Baxter C. Crane, Tommy Crane and Stewart Crane, he was like a second father to Emily Kay Renfroe Lott and Jack Renfroe formerly of Folkston, GA. Also surviving is the faithful nurse of 21 years, Evelyn Montgomery, of Valdosta, who became a daughter to the Cranes, taking care of Connie until her death in 1994 and caring for Frank until his death. He was preceded in death by his good and faithful wife of over 50 years, Connie Martin Crane. Mr. Crane always had a good and giving heart towards all men and his life can be summed up by his friend, Mr. George Stripling, who called Mr. Crane's son and said that he was a good man, a man of goodwill, and was highly respected by many.

Graveside services will be held at 11am, Friday, November 2, 2007 at Sunset Hill Cemetery with the Rev. John Akers officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-8pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Break Bread Together Program in care of First Presbyterian Church, 313 N. Patterson St., Valdosta, GA 31601 or to the Athens YMCA. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602