Harold Lee Crane

Harold Lee “Lee” Crane, 80, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2024, at his home, with his loving wife by his side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00am, Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ottawa, Kansas.

Prayer Service will be held 5:30pm, Wednesday, September 4, 2024, followed by a visitation from 6:00-8:00pm at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa, Kansas.

Inurnment 2:00pm, Thursday, September 5, 2024, Waverly Cemetery, Waverly, Kansas, with military honors by United States Navy.

Lee was born Thursday, January 13, 1944, in Ottawa, Kansas, the son of Harold Oliver “Cotton” and Shirley Ann (Frazier) Crane.

Lee graduated from Paola High School, attended college for a short time, and received extensive military training.

He served in the United States Navy from 1961-1986 serving during the Vietnam War with a deployment on the USS Forrestal. He attained the rank of E7 Chief Petty Officer, working as an Air Traffic Controller. A few of the Naval Air Stations he served at include Midway Island, Point Magu, California, and Lemore, California. He has also lived in Paola, Kansas and Ottawa, Kansas.

He was united in marriage on April 16, 2005, in Ottawa, Kansas to JoAnna M. Lewis. She survives of the home.

After retiring from the Navy, Lee worked at COF Training Services for many years doing various jobs including HUD Housing for clients. His final employment has been as support staff with Dengel & Son Mortuary for several years.

He was a troop leader with the Boy Scouts of America, a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus, and a past member of the Franklin County Optimist Club.

Lee was known for his impeccable dress and his bow ties. If asked how he was doing, he always responded, “Outstanding!”, even in the last days of his illness. He and JoAnna adopted “Carpe Diem” (Seize the Day) as their motto. He loved being in the outdoors camping, fishing, bicycling, and gardening. He also enjoyed traveling, woodworking, and cooking. Most of all, he treasured his time spent with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Shirley and son Kelly Crane.

Along with his wife JoAnna, survivors include sons Rod Crane (Rose Ann) of Paola, Kansas, Brad Crane (Tammy) of Osawatomie, Kansas, and Michael Crane (Adele) of Buckeye, Arizona; daughters Misty Watrpus (Matt) of Paola, Kansas and Breann Crane of Denham Springs, Louisiana; step-children Joe Lewis (Rebecca) of Lawrence, Kansas, Kipper Lewis (Cindy) of Williamsburg, Kansas, Amy Sheler (Tony) of Haysville, Kansas, Dan Lewis (Trishel) of Lenexa, Kansas, and Ann Simien (Nick) of Shawnee, Kansas; fifteen grandchildren; and seven step-grandchildren; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Sacred Heart School Guardian Angel Fund c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.