Charles Grady Crane Jr., 83, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away at his home on October 6, 2023 surrounded by loved ones.
Born on September 4, 1940 in Lewisburg, TN, Charles lived most of his life in Huntsville and Madison, AL. After graduating from Giles County High School in 1958, Charles received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Polytechnic Institute. While at Tennessee Tech heenrolled in the Army ROTC Program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation. Charles was hired by The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1963 and enjoyed over forty fulfilling years at the Marshall Space Flight Center. During this time, Charles, better known as Charlie to his friends at NASA, made many contributions to the Apollo program, where he worked on the Saturn V, and to the Shuttle program, where he worked on the External Tank and Space Shuttle Main Engine. His distinguished career included Director’s and Administrator’s commendations, and other special awards, including the prestigious Silver Snoopy Award in 1992. Another passion of Charles’ was Tennessee Walking Horses. Along with raising and showing horses, he also served as The President of the Alabama Walking Horse Association and Director in the National Walking Horse Association for several years. Charles also spent many years serving at the Madison Church of Christ, where he was a member and a deacon over benevolence.
In 1961, Charles met and married his dearest wife, Doris Jane Crews, from Lawrenceburg, TN. The two enjoyed a lifetime of adventures together. Charles is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, his two daughters, Kathy Stephens and Kelly Sterritt (Tom), five grandchildren, Christi Key (Chad), Justin Sterritt, Andrew Sterritt (Haley), Ryan Sterritt, and Kathryn Sterritt, five great-children, and one brother, Don Crane. He is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Lori Stephens and his son-in-law, Stan Stephens.
Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 11am at the Madison Church of Christ with the funeral to follow at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Madison Church of Christ-World Mission Africa in memory of Charles.
