Phillip Cranney

1943 - 2025

Phillip Cranney
Ypsilanti Michigan
May 5, 2025
Wendell "Phillip" Cranney, peacefully passed away on May 5, 2025, surrounded by his devoted family, after a lengthy battle with laryngeal cancer.
The son of Ruth Adams Cranney and Wendell Phillps Cranney, he was born May 21, 1943, in the small town of Gooding, Idaho. At the age of 21, he relocated to Morley, Michigan with his parents and 5 younger brothers to grow potatoes and raise cattle. In 1969, he married the love of his life, Pat.
Phillip's favorite place was in the company of his cherished horses. He spent many hours training and riding in many different capacities such as trail riding, rodeo competitions, cutting horse competitions, horse track racing, breeding mares and raising colts. Through each new adventure his kids happily went along for the ride.
In 2019, Phillip and Pat relocated to Ypsilanti, Michigan to live with their daughter's family. Immediately after the move, the pandemic shut everything down and all four of her family were home with school or work. For Phil & Pat, this was one of their life's greatest blessings as they were able to forge an exceptional bond with all of them.
Phillip was the 2nd oldest of 7 siblings. Over the years, the siblings have lived all over the United States. No matter where their location, they have remained close and supported each other through the most joyous of times and the most difficult of times. It was a highlight of his day to catch up with them and it was incredibly difficult these last few months not to be able to talk with them. He loved them all dearly.
Phillip embodied the cowboy spirit through his entire life with his strength, grit and never give up attitude. During the past 6 plus weeks in the hospital, he touched the lives of everyone he encountered. Unable to speak because of his condition, he found other ways to communicate and spread his positivity to those he came across. Through each challenge and set back, he responded with a wink and a thumbs up and inspired the rest of the family to keep the faith. When it seemed there was no resolution, he felt that he just needed to try harder. He will never be forgotten by those who had the honor to care for him, and he reinforced their commitment to their professions.
Phillip leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved wife, Pat; his proud and loving children; Chad (Nicole) of Shelocta, PA, Dirk (Nicole) of Covington, GA , Nicole (Mark), of Ypsilanti, MI; grandchildren; Brooke (Ethan), Gage, Katelynn and Sophia (Colton), Siblings: Roma Lynn Beaton of San Diego, CA, Duane (Bonnie) of Big Rapids, MI, Gene of Austin, TX, Brad (Yufang) of Port Huron, MI and Brent (Becky) of Marathon, FL along with many nieces and nephews.
Phillip was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth; father, Wendell; brother, Greg and nephew, Ross.
A family remembrance and celebration will take place later this summer in Morley, Michigan.