Obituary of Wayne Crandall

Wayne Allan Crandall, died peacefully on Monday, October 14, 2019, at home in his assisted living community at Brookdale/Lowry in Denver, Colorado, having reached the age of 92 years. Wayne was born March 19, 1927, in El Paso County, Colorado, to Jay Hiram Crandall and Ruth Estella (née Greenman). He was the sixth born of their eight boys, and was the last surviving brother. Wayne interrupted his high school education during World War II, when he enlisted in the Merchant Marines. Seaman Crandall served on the SS Ticonderoga and the SS Fisk Victory in both the Atlantic and Pacific War Zones. While in the Pacific Theater during World War II, Wayne was one of five Crandall brothers simultaneously serving. He completed his military service in the Army Air Corps, and was honorably discharged from Squadron TP-13 3705th Army Air Force Base Unit, at Lowry Air Field on May 30,1947. He lived the final years of his life in the building converted from the former Lowry Field BOQ. Wayne was an entrepreneur in his early years and ran several small businesses. He was previously employed with Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles, and with Honeywell’s Test Instruments Division near Denver. He was retired from the City of Colorado Springs Department of Utilities. He loved the outdoors. He had been a certified scuba diving instructor, and served on a team of search and rescue divers. He loved flying small airplanes. While still a student pilot on solo flight to Cheyenne, Wyoming, Wayne encountered severe weather requiring instruments for landing, for which he was not yet rated. In the airfield that day was test pilot and astronaut, Scott Carpenter. He delayed his own departure until assured the student pilot in distress was safely wheels down. Wayne’s final flight from the cockpit was a gift from his family to commemorate his 70th birthday. He flew a simulated fighter mission in a vintage P-38 aircraft, under his call sign “Tiger.” He won the day. Wayne also enjoyed fishing, water skiing, sport shooting, photography and collecting rocks and minerals. He was a skilled carpenter, spending countless hours in his workshop that came to be known as Wayne’s World. He was a Colorado Rockies baseball fan. He loved all animals, and he dearly loved his dogs. Wayne married Zona Arleta Parkhurst on August 22, 1948. They made their home and raised their daughters in Colorado Springs. Wayne and Arleta enjoyed many years as members of the Broadmoor Waltz Club, where Wayne served a term as President. They had been married for 66 years when Arleta preceded him in death in 2014. Always very proud of his children and grandchildren, he is survived by daughters Cherry Crandall (John Dunkelman) of Denver, and Rhonda Crandall Rickett (Marty) of Colorado Springs, grandsons Adam Rickett (Chandra) of Westminster, and Dustin Rickett of Boulder, and his many beloved nieces and nephews. He lived by the light of his deep and abiding faith, ever devoted to his family, a steadfast friend, and always willing to help anyone in need. Wayne A. Crandall, beloved by his family and friends, will be laid to rest with military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. In remembering Wayne, an unsolicited act of kindness done in his name, would be very meaningful to his family. For those who wish, memorial donations are requested to be made to Habitat for Humanity.