Curtis “Dale” Crane, 56, of Oak Grove, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 10, 2021. Memorial services will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25th at Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Adult & Teen Challenge, P.O. Box 249, Ozark, MO 65721 or at teenchallengeusa.org.
Dale was born on March 29, 1965, in Boonville, Missouri, the son of Jimmie Lee and Sandra Kay (Miller) Crane. Those that knew Dale were blessed with compassion, kindness, and a sense of humor. He was a loyal friend to many and always knew how to make someone smile. He never met a stranger! Dale was an unforgettable person, and he was impossible not to love.
Dale’s greatest love was his family – his son Tanner born in 1993, daughter Rylie born in 2000, and his loving wife of 30 years, Christie Day Crane. He enjoyed traveling to the beach with many trips to Florida, Aruba, and most recently, Mexico. He also loved the mountains and snow skiing, working on his truck, and tending to yard work also made him happy. Dale had a large place in his heart for his dogs. He had many over the years and loved them so much. His most cherished moments were time spent with family watching football, especially the KC Chiefs.
In the years following his graduation from Boonville High School, Dale worked on the river as a First Mate on a tugboat – an experience that he wouldn’t trade for anything. He then moved to Kansas City with the love of his life, Christie Day, to work in her family’s business, Chuck’s Boots. Following that, he worked for various industrial cleaning companies before opening his own business, Crane Industrial Services.
Dale is survived by his wife, Christie Crane; son, Tanner Crane; daughter, Rylie Crane; his mother, Sandy Miller; and friends who loved and adored him. He was preceded in death by his father, Jimmie Lee Crane.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441
Heather Medley
18 May 2021I have no more words. I always thought of Dale as a big teddy bear. Always kind. Always a light and always made me laugh. Christie without Dale feels like Chip without Dale…no pun intended. It was just how I always knew both of you. You will all remain in my prayers and I will be here for anything always. I love you so much❤️ Dale will watch over all of you as your guardian angel through his deep love for you!
Dr Michael Milliken
21 May 2021It was a great privilege to have known Dale and to have provided medical and pastoral care for him over several years. Dr Davies and I as well as all of our staff will miss him greatly and the pleasure he provided to us as a staff.
Rev Dr Michael Milliken and Dr Kim (Davies) Milliken, MD and the staff of Hope Medical Center