John Gardner Crandall Jr.

Crandall, John Gardner Jr., Ph.D., went to be with the Lord on August 23, 2008. Born April 10, 1931 in Mt. Vernon Missouri to J.G. and Fay Crandall, he married Mary Ellen Knaak on August 23, 1952. A decorated infantryman, he served his country in the Korean War. He earned a B.S. at Friends University, a M.S. at Emporia State Teacher's College, and Ph.D from University of Southern California. He taught and coached high school football before moving to the college level. Most of his career was spent at Azusa Pacific University in California as a coach, professor, athletic advisor, counselor, and Associate Dean of Education. After 31 years at Azusa, he and Mary Ellen moved to Wichita in 1998 to be near their children and grandchildren. A life-long Sunday School teacher, he served on various church and school boards and committees. He was an elder at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Wichita, and served on the Board of Trustees at Central Christian College in McPherson. He loved sports of all kinds, especially football. He loved to watch, coach, and play football if only with his kids and grandkids in the backyard. Most of all he loved his family and the Lord Jesus Christ to whom he devoted his life in Christian service. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; sons John G. III (Constance), Dan (Jennifer) of Wichita; and David (Virginia) of Valley Center; daughters, Dena Canby of Hutchinson and Vicki (Jerry) Johnson of Wichita; brother, Robert of Newburg, OR; Donald of Fallbrook, CA; David of Manns Choice, PA; and sister, Mary Lou Cromwell of Godfrey, IL; 25 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Dona DeVries. Viewing will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Funeral Service 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, followed by a private burial. Memorials may be directed to Eastminster Presbyterian Church or Centeral Christian College. Resthaven Mortuary.