Hubert Horace Crane, age 85, died Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at his home in Longview. He was born December 2, 1940, in Pontotoc to Horace Fredrick Crane and Annie Reed Brown Crane. He was married to Marjorie Huey Crane for 48 years.
Hubert was a beloved father who loved his family and his community. He had a wealth of knowledge about his relations. He could link just about anyone in Pontotoc County as a relative, no matter how distant. Talking about family connections and relationships that connected him to his hometown community was one of his favorite pastimes. He treasured his family. His girls recalled that growing up they spent nearly every weekend at their grandparents house where all Hubert’s siblings would gather. The sentiment was always, “we’re going home this weekend”. Those are remembered as the “good times”; where the brothers would saddle up the horses to let the kids take turns riding. Hearty meals were served with vegetables grown in the garden and homemade ice cream for dessert. He never missed an opportunity to spend time with family. Whether it was at the “old home place” or at the lake for a weekend of camping and boating.
He wanted his girls to see the sites across the county. He bought a van and they took vacations traveling for weeks at a time. They often referred to him as a miser with his money. There were no hotel stays. They tent camped across the west staying at every “KOA” campground along the way. Christa pointed out that the sisters became experts at “pitching that Army green tent”. And when he had a destination and a schedule, there was no diverting. Carrie recalled traveling with “pee pot” in the van. Because they couldn’t waste time stopping for bathroom breaks.
He continued his family’s Christian heritage raising his girls in the church. Canise recalled her Dad walking 3 little girls to church on Sunday morning in the cold of winter (while Mom and baby Carrie stayed at home). Carla says we think he was a little tone deaf; singing a bit off key. But nevertheless, he loved to sing. And he’d sing out, loud and proud, all the old gospel hymns.
Everyone agrees that Hubert loved music and was a great dancer. If there was music playing, he would be ready to dance. Phyllis recalled how he skipped football practice to go to a sock hop that earned him the nickname “Bebop”. He and Margie passed that love of dancing down to his daughters. All the cousins have been reminiscing about the “dance parties” had at their home in Bartlett. His girls remember the many times he would bring them to “Uncle Howard’s where the room was full to overflowing and the night was spent picking and singing”.
He was a good cook. Carla reminisced about him often cooking breakfast for the family with his favored brown gravy. And he’d also make that gravy to eat with the quail he shot. Not only did he cook the quail, but he’d also have his girls watching him clean and dress the birds in the kitchen sink beforehand. And he was famous for his “stew” or “chicken” and dumpling; that he’d conveniently wait until everybody had eaten to say it included all the meats collected from the latest hunting trips. It could be birds, squirrels or rabbits. Christa reminded all that he would cook frog legs and tell us it was chicken.
Hubert had a long career serving his community as a Firefighter. He retired as Lieutenant with the Memphis Fire Department. He also had a lengthy career as a truck driver and retired with Yellow Freight. He was a hard-working man, working long hours to provide for the people he loved. When he retired in Memphis, he left Bartlett and moved back home to Longview. He owned Pontotoc Box Company for a time and then retired for good. In his retirement years, he took up gardening, growing watermelon and cantaloupe, and even tried his hand at peanuts. He was really glad to reconnect with his high school classmates and attend gathering to socialize.
He very much enjoyed his weekly game night playing cards and dominos with family; Michael, Margie, Mary Jean and Beth and anyone else who came to the house. He loved having all his family around him; his brothers and sisters, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews. All were special to him and he loved each one.
For this four daughters he was a good, good father. He was always there when they needed him. The memories he created will be cherished. Although our hearts are heavy with loss, we are forever grateful for the blessing of having Hubert Horace Crane as our Daddy.
Hubert’s life was an example of what it means to work hard, love deeply, laugh often, and take care of your family. We will miss him more than words can express. May we honor him by living with the same devotion, generosity, and love that he shared.
Rest peacefully. You will always beloved, forever missed, and never forgotten.
Visitation will be 11:00 – 1:00p with Services at 1:00p Friday, August 7 at Browning Funeral Home with Rev Clyde Pound officiating.
Survivors include his 4 daughters: Christa (Joey) Zehner, Carla Crane, Candise Crane, Carrie Crane. Grandchildren: Amber Zehner Crow, Brandi (Logan) Ferrell, Zack (Becca) Zehner, Cayelyn Kasaftes, Morgan (Aaron) Jones, Brandon Jeffries, Jack (Caroline) Lewis, Chloe (Russ) Thompson. And 12 great-grandchildren. His siblings, Phyllis Wardlaw, Michael (Betty) Crane, Shelia Hobson and Cecil (Judy) Crane, and a sister-in-law, Mary Crane.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brother Donny Crane, and his brothers-in-law Bill Wardlaw and Rae Hobson.
