Franklin "Frank" Pierce Crane

Franklin "Frank" Pierce Crane, 94, passed away on May 3, 2021 in Shreveport, Louisiana following a short illness. He was born December 29, 1926 in Aldrich, Missouri, the son of Eldon and Neoma (McPeak) Crane. Frank graduated from Dadeville High School, Class of 1944. During the years following graduation, he continued to work on the family farm, and also worked for the United States Postal Service. He enlisted at the age of 18 and served in the US Army-Air Corps in the Pacific (Marianna's Islands, Guam, and the Philippines) during World War II. His service is honored with his name being listed in the World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana. After the war, he went to the University of Missouri at Columbia on the GI Bill where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and was a member of The Scholastic Honor Society. After college, Frank moved to Shreveport, LA where he worked for the Kansas City Southern and Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad ensuring the safety of railroad tracks and bridges. Frank was a member and officer in the Society of Civil Engineers of Louisiana for many years. On June 11, 1955, Frank married the love of his life Sarah Nell Wiggins and they lived in Shreveport for many years raising their family. They moved to Springfield, Virginia near Washington, D.C. in 1979 because Frank accepted a position with the U.S. Government Department of Transportation Railroad Administration and retired as an Assistant Director of his division. Frank was a truly Christian man. In Louisiana, Frank (and Nell) were long standing members of Kings Highway Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Shreveport. In Virginia, they were members of the Springfield Christian Church Disciples of Christ. Frank served as an Elder in both congregations. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother (spouse), K. Eugene "Gene" Crane (Helen), two sisters (and their spouses), June (Crane) Slagley (Bud) and Betty (Crane) Leeper (Leonard), one brother-in-law, Howard Leeper (husband of Barbara) and one son, David Hollis Crane. He is survived by his loving & devoted wife of almost 66 years, Sarah Nell (Wiggins) Crane of Shreveport; his sister, Barbara (Crane) Leeper of Kansas City, MO; his children (spouses): Linda (Crane) Woods (Paul) of Booneville, MO; Sondra (Crane) Snyder (Dan) of Fairfax Station, VA; Charles Crane (Kim) of Houston, TX; Larry Crane (Donna) of Shreveport; Beverly (Crane) Albritton (Brad) of Shreveport; Nancy (Crane) Mumaw (Ed) of Frederick, MD; grandchildren (spouses): Stephanie Calton (Mike), Paul Woods (Bethany), Mark Snyder, William Snyder, Loren Moore, Hunter Moore, Connor Crane, Cooper Crane, Jackson Crane, Lauren Tucker (Douglas), Lindsey Berteau (Micah), Landon Crane, Cole Albritton, Peyton Albritton, Emily Warren (Andrew), Ryan Mumaw, Samuel Mumaw, Evan Mumaw; and 17 great-grandchildren along with a multitude of cousins, nieces and nephews. One Godson Nicholas Elgas of Bristow, Virginia. He was the best husband, father ("Dad"/"Paddy"), grandfather ("Papa"/"Grandpa"), uncle and friend that anyone could have asked for and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was a very smart and quiet man, so when he talked people listened. He was quick witted and could always pop back with a humorous response. He was kind and soft spoken. Services will be held at Kings Highway Christian Church in Shreveport, LA at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2021, conducted by Pastor Steve Lesher. Visitation will start at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be immediately following at Forest Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Landon Crane, Cole Albritton, Mark Snyder, William Snyder, Hunter Moore, Brad Albritton, Roger Duvall, and Rusty Duvall. Honorary Pallbearers: Michael Leeper, Jess Leeper, and Charlie Leeper.