Craig Crane

Our friend, Craig Crane, was born August 14, 1969, to Gene and Marcy Crane. He passed away after a valiant fight against cancer on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at the age of 44. It would take volumes of paper of fully describe exactly who Craig was, or the type of person he was; however there are some things we can tell you. Craig grew up on a farm, where he enjoyed helping his dad-as well as helping out in the family grocery store in Hatfield, Arkansas. Craig was a good athlete in school, as well as an outstanding student. His thirst for knowledge was without measure, and he never forgot anything he learned. Shortly after graduating from Mena High School in 1987, Craig became involved in the world of Professional Wrestling. For a period of time, and was always a pleasure to hear him share some of his wrestling day adventures, where he got to meet some very interesting people as well as some quite famous ones. When it came time to choose a career, Craig ultimately chose to finish his education and become a teacher. It was a choice he never regretted. Craig's ability to teach was amazing! His students to this day talk about what a wonderful teacher Mr. Crane was when they were in his class. One student, when asked to describe Mr. Crane said, "He is a bear of a man; a good, open-hearted, helpful guy." It goes without saying that Mr. Crane's passing has left a large imprint in the hearts of all his students, as it has in the hearts of his loving friends and his family. As much as he loved teaching, Craig equally enjoyed summer vacation. Any given summer day, Craig could be anywhere from an outdoor concert, to a creek bank with a big piece of watermelon in his hand. He REALLY enjoyed tailgating at various sports events, and many people are going to miss his huge smile and his high energy enthusiasm. Craig had a lot of love for his fellow sports fans, and they for him. When it came to entertainment, Craig's interests were eclectic to say the least. He could quote from hundreds of movies, songs, books and T.V. shows. His sense of humor was phenomenal and he was not too proud to laugh at himself. Even when he was feeling bad himself, Craig would always try to make his friends laugh. Now that we have lost our dear friend, we, of course are heartbroken and sad, because we miss him and love him so much; but we take comfort knowing that he has fought the fine fight, and he is now at peaceful rest. The place we have in hearts for Craig are not empty now; for we have the most wonderful memories of him and the great times that were so much the greater because Craig was there. Craig was preceded in death by his father, Wilburn Eugene Crane; and is survived by his mother, Marcella (Marcy) Crane, a sister, Holly Barron and husband Kenneth, his nephews, Michael Barron, David Barron and his wife Ashleigh and a great nephew, Brady Barron, his best friend, Donita Gann, and many close friends too numerous to name as well as a host of cousins and others related to the family. Memorial services for Craig will be held Saturday, May 31, 2014 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Mena Mountain Resort. Arrangements are entrusted to the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. An account has been set up at the Union Bank in Mena to assist in Craig's final expenses. We love you Craig, and we always will. You will forever be in our memory as a fine, upstanding, compassionate friend. Rest in peace, old friend, and we bid you not goodbye, but …Until we meet again.