Kent Lee Crane

1937 - 2026

Kent Lee Crane, a longtime beloved resident of Yucca Valley, California, for over 50 years, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 28, 2026, at the age of 88.
Kent was born in Ogden, Utah, on Oct. 12, 1937, to Herman Lee Crane and Mary Ada Hoopes. He is the oldest of three children born to Herm and Mary. Kent attended Washington Grad, Central Junior and Ogden High School. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A veteran of the United States Air Force for nearly 10 years, Kent had a great love for his country as well as airplanes. He was a very respected crew chief and was highly trained to work on the engines for the C-119, B-29, B-25, B-26, C-46, C-47 and others as well. He considered this experience as something very special in his life.
Kent was also gifted in softball and baseball and played for the Air Force team as their star catcher. He had an exceptional arm, hitting many home runs and helping to take his team to the championships.
After the Air Force Kent worked and retired from General Telephone (GTE) as a lineman and later a supervisor, laying many miles of telephone cable across the Morongo Basin and beyond.
Kent loved the serenity and wildlife of the outdoors and frequently visited our national parks over the years with his family and by himself. He loved to travel and felt very fortunate to visit many countries and places of interest all over the world, his favorite being Thailand and the Philippines, where he met his beloved wife of nearly 21 years, Vicar.
Kent is survived by his wife, Vicar; children Rodney (Katie) Crane and Karen (David) Giles; grandchildren Sydney, Sarah, Ethan, Matthew, Elise and Spencer; three great-grandchildren, Robbie, Jane and Anders; and brothers Terry (Loan) Crane and Mike (Jan) Crane, Mark Crane.
Kent was a generous loving person with a big heart and a smile to match. He was a loyal fan of the Yucca Valley High School women's basketball team and his cherished BYU Cougars Football program. Kent loved the Lord and his Savior Jesus Christ. He loved his family deeply and will be greatly missed.
In Kent's own words, "I've lived a good life. I'm very blessed."
Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, March 14, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel on 56885 Onaga Trail, Yucca Valley, California. A viewing will be held beginning at 11 a.m. preceding the funeral service. Interment will be at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518.