Stephen H Crane

Stephen H. Crane, of Pensacola, Florida died Sunday, August 26, 2012 at the Naval Hospital Pensacola.

Cdr. Crane was born October 24, 1942 in Boston, Massachusetts and was raised in Manchester by the sea. He was a graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical engineering and entered the Naval Reserves as a seaman in 1959. He was commissioned, and received his wings as a Naval Aviator in 1964. After augmentation in to the regular Navy he served in five fighter squadrons. He flew two hundred and five combat missions in Vietnam, from 1968 to 1973. He graduated with an Engineering Degree from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California in 1972 and received his MBA from Auburn University while a student at the USAF Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Alabama in 1978. In his last sea tour he was the Combat Systems Department Head aboard the USS Saratoga, CV-60 before entering Aeronautical Engineering duty. He retired in 1985 after serving as the production officer and Executive officer of the Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP) in Pensacola, FL.

His post retirement employment included; Executive Director of the Escambia County Unit of the American Cancer Society; and the Pensacola Site Manager and Senior Engineer for Systems Engineering and Management Corp. (SEMCOR) supporting the Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP). After NADEP closure, Cdr. Crane graduated from The University of West Florida with a BA in Special Education (specific learning disabilities). He taught math at Pensacola High School from 1996 until his retirement in 2003. While at PHS he coached the boys and girls Cross Country teams for four years.

Cdr. Crane’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, The Air Medal with gold star and ten strike/flight awards, Navy Commendation Medal with gold star and Combat “V”, Navy Achievement medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with gold star and every unit commendation including the Presidential Unit for duty in USS Midway, CV-41.

Cdr. Crane’s memberships include: Past President of the Pensacola Runners Association, Past President of the ESCAROSA Chapter of the Retired Officer’s Assoc., Flight Captain of the Order of the Daedalians, The Association of Naval Aviation, Board of Directors PENAIR Federal Credit Union, The Tailhook Assoc., US Naval Institute. He was also general chairman and race direct of of the US Navy Blue Angel Marathon, 1984 and 1986. He and his wife Sandy were co-winners of the PRA, Dr. Lou Gregory Spirit Award in 1991.

Survivors include his wife, Sandy Crane of Pensacola; brother, Col. Kerry J. Crane (Mary) of Montgomery, AL; his children, Stephen (Irene) of Mesa, AZ, Kirsty Clampitt (Chris), Iain (Tracey) Clampitt and Katie (Dale) Owens all of Pensacola; and his seven grandkids, Kyleigh and Elijah Owens, Maeve and Maggie Carroll, Caidan Clampitt, Danica Allen and Dustin Roberg.

Cdr. Crane was the son of the late Senter H. Crane and Madeline Crane of Manchester by the Sea, Massachusetts.

The family will receive friends and celebrate Cdr. Crane’s life on Wednesday, September 05, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Oak Lawn Funeral Home.

The family request that everyone wear Orange and Blue for the love he had for Auburn University “WAR EAGLE”. Please join us for the interment of his ashes at Barrancas National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family request that you make donations to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, under team name “Walking with Katie” in honor of his daughter, or to the Greyhound Rescue, P. O. Box 64, Gonzalez, FL 32560.

OAK LAWN FUNERLA HOME is entrusted with arrangements.

Condolences may be offered at www.oaklawnfunerals.com.