Gary Rodman Cranor, 73, of Beaumont, died Sunday, December 1, 2013, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, Beaumont. He was born on May 21, 1940, in Owensboro, Kentucky, as the only child of Mabel Whitaker Cranor and Louis Rodman Cranor. He had been a longtime resident of Beaumont and was a charter member of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church.
Mr. Cranor graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering. At the University of Kentucky he was the president of his fraternity, Sigma Nu. Shortly after graduating he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to Vietnam. In Vietnam he served in the Army Corps of Engineers, and was a proud veteran. Upon returning home, he accepted a position with Gulf Oil in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in 2002 he retired from Chevron as Plant Manager. In his retirement he enjoyed giving his talents in many volunteer organizations such as: Prison Ministry, Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 292 Treasurer, St. Jude money counters, Jefferson County Mediation Center and the Regional Planning Commission. He also participated in Men's, Teen, and Prison ACTS retreats, as well as the Cursillos in Christianity Movement.
Gary loved all things University of Kentucky, especially basketball. He enjoyed playing poker and traveling. His favorite pastime was to spend time with family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sally Cranor of Beaumont; daughters, Ann Bernard and her husband, Donald, of Beaumont and Susan Breitling and her husband, Daniel, of Hendersonville, Tennessee; sons, William Cranor and his wife, Valarie, of Austin and David Cranor and his wife, Allyson, of Washington, D.C.; and grandchildren, Carey Cranor, Joseph Bernard, Meghan Bernard, Parker Breitling, Ryan Breitling, Molly Breitling, Jackson Cranor, Graham Cranor, and Isaac Cranor. He is also survived by his Godmother, Cece Currie; and many other beloved extended family members.
A gathering of Mr. Cranor’s family and friends will begin at 4:00 p.m., with a Christian Vigil to follow at 6:00 p.m., Friday, December 6, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 7, 2013, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont.
In death, as in life, he wanted to give of himself to help others, he accomplished this again by donating his body to The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Cranor’s name to St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church Prison Ministry, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77706; Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. Southeast Texas Chapter 292, 2115 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701; or Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, 5950 Kelly Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707.
