Raymond T Crane

Raymond Thayer Crane, of Spanish Fort, AL passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 18, 2019. “Ray” spent nearly 92 years here on Earth. He was born on April 27, 1927 in New Orleans, LA to George Edmond and Gretchen Thayer Crane. He attended Jesuit High School and served in the US Marine Corp during World War II. Ray met the love of his life, and best friend, Dorothy Ruth, while on a blind date arranged by Ray’s younger brother, Bob. Ray and Dottie were married on June 25, 1949. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Mobile, Alabama where they raised their three children. When their children were grown and moved away, Ray and Dottie followed their daughter to Tulsa, OK where they lived for many years. Ray and Dorothy were a very close loving couple, married for 62 years, until Dorothy’s passing in 2011. Ray returned to Alabama in 2016. Ray enjoyed spending time with his family; camping; traveling; building birdhouses of wine corks; carving wood carousel horses, mountain men, and seafaring men in his workshop. He planned camping rendezvous with his brother and sister and their families at various destinations throughout the United States. Ray always welcomed nieces and nephews to join his family on their summer camping adventures. He visited 48 states during these adventures. Ray worked as a service engineer for 35 years for Sperry Marine Systems. During this time, he traveled to several continents and numerous foreign countries. He fondly remembered the highlight of his career as taking a ride through the Panama Canal aboard one of the ships he serviced. Ray is survived by his sister Betty Deimel of Metairie, LA; son and daughter-in-law, David and Memmit Crane of Pace, FL; daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Dan Auffenberg of Sea Island, GA. Grandchildren: Kim and her husband Richard Ritter of Sacramento, CA; Lauren and her husband Austin Hill of Dallas, TX; Kathleen and her husband Clayton Hill of Dallas, TX; Daniel and his wife Claire Auffenberg of Dallas TX; Matthew and his wife Paige Crane of Prattville, AL; and Madeleine Auffenberg of New York, NY. Great-grandchildren: Riley, Raymond and Lily Ritter; Henry, Forrest and John Hayes Hill; and Walker and Whitney Hill. Ray will be dearly missed, but we know he is in Heaven with those who have gone before him, including his parents George and Gretchen Thayer Crane; brother George Crane of Baton Rouge, LA; sister Gretchen Crane Werner of Shreveport, LA; sister Dorothy Crane Lindsley of Memphis, TN; brother Robert Crane of New Orleans, LA.; and daughter Carolyn Macgregor of Oakland, CA. Ray’s life will be celebrated on May 18th with his family and closest friends in New Orleans, LA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts of remembrance be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project. Arrangements are entrusted to Cason Funeral Service in Foley Alabama

Raymond T Crane

April 27, 1927 - April 18, 2019

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Raymond T Crane

April 27, 1927 - April 18, 2019

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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