James Howell Cranfill

1944 - 2015

ODESSA James Howell Cranfill, 71, of Odessa passed away September 6, 2015 at Medical Center Hospital after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Loraine, Texas on April 24, 1944 to Adele Howell and Dennis Luther Cranfill. At the age of 5, James and his family moved to Odessa where he attended Burleson Elementary, Bowie Junior High and Odessa High School, graduating in 1962. James played the drums in several bands, saving money to continue his education. He attended Odessa College, receiving his Associate Degree in 1965. He then moved to Lubbock and attended Texas Tech University. He joined the Navy and was stationed in Japan as a radio technician. After Vietnam, he returned to Odessa where he continued with his love of music. In 1987, he began selling real estate and was co-owner of Bell Realtors. He had a successful career that spanned almost 30 years.

On July 4, 1992, he married the love of his life, Glenda Nell Henderson Baggett, in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He adored Glenda, and made it his mission to treat her like a queen.

James was a natural musician and could play several instruments. Along with music, James loved anything about sailboats, spending hours on pencil drawings. James loved to dance and had a loud, happy contagious laugh. He was an avid, daily reader of the Bible. Fondly known as "Gramps", James always quoted "Only life escapes which never was pursued," to his grandchildren. Whether it was picking them up cherry donuts or giving advice, Gramps encouraged his grandchildren to chase their dream and put their whole hearts into them. He showed them how to love Jesus and truly be a follower of Him.

James is survived by his wife Glenda Cranfill, sister Loree Musick of Midland, daughter Kathy & Brad Hill of Austin; son Larry Baggett of Odessa, son and daughter-in-law Rick & Tammy Baggett of Keller and son Scott Baggett of Midland; grandchildren Isabella Hill and Kylie Hill of Austin, Nicole & Jeremy Frost of Austin, Tara & Michael Masiello of Abilene, Taylor Baggett of Keller, Melissa Baggett and Michelle Baggett of Odessa; great grandchildren J.J. and Ryder Frost of Austin and McKenzie Masiello of Abilene; sister-in-law Frances Goodwin of Odessa, brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws Tommy & Barbara Henderson of Odessa, Mike & Becky Henderson of Luling, Louisiana and Saundra & Bob Temple of Arlington; niece Joyce Henegar and her daughters Michelle and Melanie of Odessa, and many other nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday, September 8 at Sunset Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, September 9 at Mission Dorado Baptist Church in Odessa with Pastor Bob Bratcher officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa. Pallbearers will be Kirk Chitty, Matt Tumbusch, Rick Black, Dee Phillips, Perry Todd, Scott Goodwin, Duane Swoveland and Rich Earls. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society or Mission Dorado Baptist Church.

Arrangements are by Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. To sign the guestbook, go to our website at www.sunsetodessa.com.