Michael L. Crane

Michael Lawrence Crane, 79, passed away peacefully at First Health Hospice House in Pinehurst, NC on August 17, 2017 following a brief illness. He leaves his wife of 51 years, Barbara (Bonds) Crane; his daughter, Leigh Elizabeth Crane of Lake Wiley, SC; his daughter, Christy Suzanne Crane Holley and her Husband David Matthew Holley and grandson Jacob Matthew Holley of Fayetteville, NC; sisters in law Barbara A. Crane of Birmingham, AL, Nancy Bonds of Atlanta, GA, Cathy Parham of Saint Augustine, Fl. And brother-n-law Tommy Bonds (Judy) and many cousins, nieces and nephews in Birmingham, Montgomery and Atlanta, and throughout the United States as well as many close friends. He is predeceased by his parents Theodore Poole Crane, Major, U.S.A. and Florence Morrow Crane and Essie Porter Crane; and his brother Theodore Poole Crane Jr. Born and raised in Alabama, Michael was a proud North Carolina transplant living in Charlotte for over 30 years, and Sunset Beach and Pinehurst for his remaining years. In his early years, Michael grew up in Oakman, Alabama (Walker County) and would often look back on that time with humor and fondness. After graduating from Oakman High School in 1955, he attended Auburn University, and the University of North Alabama graduating in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and participated in Army Senior ROTC from 1958-1960. On 26 January 1960 he joined the United States Army as a Private First Class and served at Fort Jackson South Carolina, first as an Infantry Recruit and then as an Administrative Clerk. Later that year he was released to Headquarters, IV Corps, U.S. Army Reserves in Birmingham, Alabama and served until he was honorably discharged in on 31 December 1965. Mike was awarded the Cold War Veteran Certificate with Commemorative Medal and was a Member of AMVETS. He met his wife, Barbara Bonds, in Birmingham and they were married June 4, 1966 at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Mountainbrook, Alabama. After serving in the Army and Army Reserve, Michael worked for Hana Chemical Coatings in Columbus, Ohio as the Technical Director for Chemical Sales. He then worked for the Goodyear Tread Rubber Corporation-Chemical Division. He then founded and was CEO of Duratec Tread Rubber Corporation for over 30 years. An avid golfer and tennis player, he was a longtime member of Carmel Country Club. He was also active in his community as an active participant in the Charlotte Jaycees. Michael was a member of Saint Stephens United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC and an associate member of Myers Park Methodist Church also in Charlotte, NC. Michael was a man with humor who was quick to make you smile and laugh. He was compassionate and loved his family very much. He was hard working and tenacious and was proud to take care of family and friends and did so with selfless devotion. The Crane family would like to express their appreciation to the Moore County FirstHealth Hospice Nurses Janet Anderson, Cathy, and Linda as well as all the Certified Nurses Assistants and staff who made Michael last moments comfortable and peaceful. The Crane family would also like to thank Dr. Robert Deucher and the medical staff at the Moore Regional FirstHealth Hospital, who provided loving care and support to Mr. Crane during his illness. The Crane family would also like to thank Eric Carter, pharmacist at the Harris Teeter at Pinecroft and Mr. Philip Holmes of Crumpler Funeral Home for his kind assistance and compassion during this time. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Charlotte, NC with a private internment. Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be given to the FirstHealth Hospice Foundation, 150 Applecross Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374 and/or the American Cancer Society, P.O.Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. Charitable donations may be made to:American Cancer SocietyP.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City OK 73123Tel: 1-800-227-2345Web: http://www.cancer.org/FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative CareWeb: https://www.firsthealth.org/foundation-of-firsthealth/caring-for-people/firsthealth-hospice-palliati

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