Colettie E “Carla” Cranston 81 of Fort Myers Beach passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice. Formerly of Grand Junction, CO she had been a resident of Fort Myers Beach since 2007. She was born October 16, 1937 in Erwin, North Carolina a daughter of the late Hubert C and Edna Mae (Fowler) Porter.
Her mother and father are long deceased and she had no siblings. Carla and Gary met in Charleston, SC while Gary was still serving in the Air Force. They were married on November 1, 1968 and lived in Wichita, KS and Marietta, GA while Gary was finishing college and pilot training.
(Carla always flew reluctantly! ) Carla’s career during that time included assistant manager and manager of small to large apartment complexes. She attended Wichita State University and Wichita Business College.
While living in Scottsbluff, NE she managed the Section 8 Housing. Gary worked for John Deere Co from 1974 to 1979. In 1979 they became partners and eventually full owners of Modern Farm Equipment in Gordon, NE where they lived for many years.
For many of those years, Carla worked side by side with Gary as well as during the time of expansion into other locations and the Auto Parts Business. Also during those years, she purchased and operated her own Flower and Gift Shop. Before their retirement, they lived in Farmington, NM managing the Leasing Co in conjunction with their John Deere and New Holland dealerships in NE and CO.
Carla was an avid Denver Bronco fan and attended many games while always organizing the tailgate parties. Travel with Gary and friends was another true enjoyment in Carla’s life. There were trips to Europe, Alaska, Ireland, Cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Her favorite personal interests were the many artistic endeavors that she enjoyed. As a self-taught artist she enjoyed painting, beading and working with clay. Upon retirement Carla and Gary moved to Grand Junction, CO to be closer to family while also spending the winter months in Florida.
For all of her accomplishments and talents the most important thing in life to Carla was family and the many, many friends from across the country. Of course, the last few years were very special with the three Grand Nieces: Cadence, Emmarie and Isa. Her last big project was the planning and fulfillment t of their 50th wedding anniversary escorted by the Grand Nieces and also attended by the many dear friends from across the country.
She helped establish the Gary and Colettie Cranston Family Foundation and was a member of the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation. Carla is survived by her loving husband Gary F Cranston of Fort Myers Beach FL, her in-laws Gregg and Carole Cranston of Grand Junction, CO, Bradd and Robin Cranston of Big Timber, MT and Janine and Dan Bromley of Grand Junction, CO: her nieces and nephews Ryan and Marisa Cranston, Enrique and Kate Lima and Honey Rae Cranston and her Grand Nieces Cadence and Emmarie Cranston and Isa Lima. For Family and Friends, a celebration of Carla’s life is being planned for later this summer in Grand Junction, CO and again on November 1st in Fort Myers Beach, FL.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her memory be made to Joanne’s House of Hope Hospice, 27200 Imperial Pkwy, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 To sign her guest register or to leave online condolences please visit www. shikanyfuneralhome.com Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Funeral Home, Bonita Springs, FL To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Colettie E. “Carla” Cranston please visit our Sympathy Store.
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