Charles Crane

Charles Louis Crane, age 83, died at his home on Saturday, April 30, 2022, of natural causes.

Known as “Chuck” or “Bud” to friends and family, he was born October 27, 1938 in DeSoto, Missouri. After joining the Air Force in 1957, he lived in the states of: Florida, Ohio, Virginia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Indiana, Nebraska, and Texas, finally retiring in Colorado in 1981, after a distinguished military career.

His educational pursuits included an undergraduate degree from Oklahoma University and an MBA from Indiana University, while serving full-time in the Air Force.

His Air Force career spanned 25 years: enlisted for 11 years, an officer for 14, he retired at the rank of major. His service included a tour in Vietnam from 1969-1970 and the following honors: Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Service Ribbon with five Oak Leaf Clusters; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal.

One of his most important roles was Chief of Personnel for Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. Originally an aspiring pilot, his color blindness took him in another direction with the military. One of his favorite anecdotes was “I always wanted to fly planes, but I flew a desk instead.”

After the Air Force, he became a financial planner until he fully retired.

His survivors include daughters: Barbara Lillian Kester (David), Gayle Lorraine Brodie (Jeffrey). Grandchildren: Christopher Charles Kester, Ryan Everett Brodie, Samantha Anne Kester, Rebecca Lorraine Ryan (Kyle), Katie Michele Knackstedt (Michael), and great-granddaughter, Everly Lorraine Ryan.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Anne Crane (Bigelow); his parents, Warren Wesley Crane and Lillian Ellen Crane (McCreery); and brothers, Warren Walter Crane and Richard Howard Crane.

He was known to all for his incredible generosity to family, friends, and those in need (human or animal). He was a lifelong gardener, avid sports fan (no matter the sport), and loved spending time with family in Vail and at his cabin in the Colorado mountains. He was also an accomplished shade tree auto mechanic and bowler, playing on many leagues over the years.

Services will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home, 11150 East Dartmouth Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80014. Chapel visitation at 10:30 AM, followed by military honors service at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80235. Gather at staging area A, 12:45 PM.

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the Children’s Diabetes Foundation (CDF). Please use the following link: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=f3e8a2 .