Ralph W. Crane Jr

Ralph Washington Crane, Jr. died January 10, 2019. He was born on July 17, 1922 in Bearden, TN. He moved shortly thereafter to Kingsport where he lived the rest of his life in the Orebank community.

Before leaving Blountville High School early, Ralph was asked by Roy Acuff to join him in playing at the Grand Ole Opry; he declined in order to proudly serve his country as a United States Marine in the South Pacific during WWII. He was granted his high school diploma in absentia. He was an active and beloved member of Reedy Creek Presbyterian Church for the majority of his 96 years. He retired from Holston Defense in 1985 and finally restored his 1948 Harley Davidson. His greatest accomplishment was ensuring his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren knew how deeply they were loved.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Debby Crane, infant sister Irene, sister Yvonne George, brothers Kermit, Vernon, and Edward Crane, and parents Lula Crane and Ralph Washington Crane, Sr.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 69 years, Ruth Vicars Crane, daughter Cindy (Gerry) Quigley, son Jeff (Sharman) Chapman-Crane, and daughter Ginger (James) Shackelford. Sisters Deszmer Pollock and Joanne Underwood. Brother-in-law and close friend Dick Townsend. Grandchildren Mitzi (Thomas) Stiltner, Linzy (Dickie) Hutson, Keavy (Nathan) Ladner, Maeve (Todd) Hubbard, Aisling (Danny) Henninger, and Evan Chapman-Crane. Great-grandchildren Garrett and Averi Stiltner; Caleb and Bryant Hutson; Catherine, SarahBelle, and Conor Ladner; Harper, Corrin, and Finnegan Hubbard; Ronan and Asher Henninger; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Receiving of friends will be from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Sunday, January 13th at Reedy Creek Presbyterian Church, funeral to follow at 6:00 pm with Rev. Marshall Steinle officiating. Graveside services will be 2:30 pm on Monday, January 14th at the VA cemetery, Mountain Home, Johnson City, TN. Military Rites will be conducted by American Legion Posts 3/265.

Pallbearers will be Todd Hubbard, Danny Henninger, Nathan Ladner, Dicki Hutson, Caleb Hutson, Bryan Hutson, Thomas Stiltner, Garrett Stiltner and Evan Chapman-Crane.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Reedy Creek Presbyterian Church General Fund, 6044 Orebank R., Kingsport, TN 37664.

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