K Rodney "Rod" Cranson

K Rodney (“Rod”) Cranson, age 87, was promoted to his heavenly home on the morning of Sunday, June 8 , due to complications from a recent fall. He was born on November 9, 1937, in Hubbardston Michigan. Rod graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1956 and did several jobs including working at the Grand Ledge Chair Factory, manning a station on the line at Fisher Body and driving a grade B milk route he purchased with his brother all before applying for college and being accepted at Michigan State University (MSU). Rod also spent 3 years serving in the US Army National Guard just prior to marrying Sharon in 1961. They would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in September this year.

Rod earned his Bachelor of Science in Geology and a Masters in Education from MSU along with completing all the coursework for a Doctorate degree in Geology. He began his teaching career at Waverly High School (Lansing, MI) in 1963 and joined the Science Department faculty at Lansing Community College (LCC) in 1966 where he developed the Natural Science and Geoscience programs and achieved the rank of Professor. During his tenure at LCC, Rod was instrumental in establishing the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association (MESTA) and was co-founder of the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA). He also participated in LCC’s Japan Adventure Program, teaching abroad for 3 quarters. Among numerous awards and honors, Rod received LCC’s Distinguished Faculty Award in 1991.

Rod served as a National Park Interpretive Ranger at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon for seven summer seasons. His work in the park provided the experience and expertise to write and publish three editions of Crater Lake - Gem of the Cascades, The Geologic Story of Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. After retiring from his teaching career, Rod and Sharon established a professional photography studio in their Lansing home and Rod earned a Professional Photographer Degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

Rod and Sharon were blessed to have traveled across much of the United States and several foreign countries. They spent a lot of time camping in their Scamp, a small fiberglass trailer, which led Rod to establish Scamp Owners International (SOI) an organization of like minded travelers with over a thousand members. Rod and Sharon’s love for nature and family-time led them to purchase a summer cabin in Hart, MI, with their daughter and son-in-law and also a winter home in mid-Florida with their son. In 2016 Rod and Sharon moved from their home of over 50 years in the Lansing area to Sawgrass condos in Holland, MI to be nearer to their daughter’s family. Before relocating Rod was a long time, active member of South (Baptist) Church in Lansing prior to joining Parkside Bible Church where he regularly oversaw the library and initiated Super Seniors, a gathering of “seasoned saints.” Rod appreciated the excitement and challenges of his life here on earth while having an eternal prospective because of his saving faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Rod is predeceased by his parents, Norwood and Lottie Cranson and his three brothers, Robert (Leone), Eugene (Marge) and Charles Stanley Cranson.

Rod is survived by his wife Sharon, his children, Keri (Brian) Rees (Holland, MI) and Kurt Cranson (Charlotte, NC) and his sister-in-law Agnes Cranson (Grand Ledge, MI). Rod has four grandchildren, two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is being planned for Friday, June 20 at Parkside Bible Church, 14461 James St., Holland Michigan 49424. Please join for a family visitation at 10 AM followed by the service at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Parkside Bible Church, Holland, MI or Corewell Health Hospice of West Michigan.

Please visit www.lakeshorememorial.com for further information.