John W. Crane Sr.

John W. Crane, Sr., age 87, passed away December 7, 2014. He was born October 24, 1927, in Creedmoor, Texas to William Henry and Viola Crane. He was the youngest of twelve siblings: five brothers and six sisters and remained in the Austin area his whole life.

John graduated from Austin High School in 1946, where he was class president and co-captain of the football team. While serving in the Armed Forces he was deployed to Korea. He married his high school sweetheart Marjorie Haas upon his return home, in October of 1952. They had two sons, John Watson, Jr. and Gary Wade Crane.

He attended Austin Business College and began working for the Texas Department of Transportation, Right of Way Division retiring after thirty years. John enjoyed spending time with family and cowboy action shooting. For ten years, he actively participated in shooting competitions along with his children and grandchildren. He liked polka dancing and traveled to Germany as part of the experience. When he wasn’t gardening, he was often out in his workshop making toys, furniture, and yard decorations. John was interested in genealogy and geography spending many hours tracing his family heritage. He attended church regularly and served as a deacon at Southwest Church of Christ.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie and his son, Gary. He is survived by his brother, Dudley, son, J.W., and wife, Shannon, his grandchildren, John-Mark, Jody, Judith, and Randle, and his great-grandchildren, Rhett, Ryker, and Jamie.