On October 6, 2018, James Lynn Crane, surrounded by his family, was welcomed beyond the veil by his parents and loved ones after a long battle with Interstitial Lung Disease. He was the fourth of five children born to Nathaniel and Mildred Butterfield Crane on August 1, 1938. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, children, James (Dawn), Scott (Michell), Natalie (Dwight), Christian (Mandy), Jeffrey (Anna), Jared (Elizabeth), and Melanie, brother Ronald Crane and sister Carol Crane Ewell.
Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, brother (Bruce) and sister (Doris). Lynn was raised primarily in Herriman, Utah. He loved his parents and siblings and each of them inspired him in different ways.
Some of his most cherished youth experiences occurred in the canyons and mountains of Southeastern Idaho. His father was the foreman of a sheep outfit and the family moved each summer to participate in the business where his Dad could supervise the sheep operations and be with his family. Summer in the mountains developed a love for the canyons and streams, and the majesty and order of the Creation.
These years were also the geneses of a life-long affection for animal life, particularly of horses and sheep. Lynn was educated primarily in Jordan School District schools. As he completed his sophomore year at Jordan High School, his family temporarily relocated to a large livestock ranch in Challis, Idaho.
He graduated from Challis High School in May 1956. Lynn entered the US Army in August 1956 and served in Texas, California, and Thule Greenland, where he received an honorable release on 29 May 1959. His love for country, in part, was inspired from the opportunity to serve in the Army.
He received a call to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served for two years in the West Central States Mission, a cherished experience and one that helped shape the activities of his entire life. In the fall of 1962 he enrolled at BYU and graduated with a degree in Education and Sociology in 1967. His enrollment and experience at BYU was the basis for a life-long commitment and love for the “Y”.
Lynn considers his family to be his greatest achievement in mortality. He and Suzanne Dot Miller, the love of his life, were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 5, 1964 and have been fully devoted to one another for 54 years. They are the proud parents of seven children, grandparents of seventeen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
His favorite moments in life were time spent with his family, one of which was camping at Bridger Lake in the High Uintah Mountains. He and Suzanne established a wonderful family tradition of camping together, fishing, hiking, volleyball and other family activities at Bridger. Perhaps the greatest memories of these camping trips were the Dutch-oven meals and family time spent around the campfire.
Upon graduation from BYU, Lynn devoted his professional efforts to public education. He taught school for four years and then devoted his commitment to representation of educational curriculum for K-12. His interest was in the budding development of audio-visual materials in the classroom and spent 25 years in that pursuit while developing close life-long friendships with both colleagues and competitors in that field.
Lynn loved Herriman, the home of his forebears. When returning to Herriman in 1966, Lynn began service on the Herriman Pipeline and Development Company. He joined the local Lions Club, participated on Herriman School and Jordan District committees, and worked with J. Bryant Miller to establish the Herriman Community Association, a precursor to incorporation.
As development began to encroach the historical boundaries of Herriman, he worked tirelessly to see Herriman Incorporated and served as the first Mayor of Herriman City from 1999-2010. He also had the opportunity to serve as a trustee for a number of service districts, including Jordan Valley Water, South Valley Sewer, and Jordan School District. As a memento of appreciation for his service, the Herriman City Council officially dedicated the newly developed park in the Herriman Towne Center as the J. Lynn Crane Park.
Lynn loved the Lord Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He offered his life in continuous service as a leader and teacher at ward and stake levels, in service in the Jordan River and Oquirrh Temples for 14 years, and as Patriarch in the Fort Herriman Utah Stake of Zion for the past 12 years. His family and friends will miss his stories, sense of humor, love and service to family, church, community, and country.
The family wishes to thank the many friends and family who visited Lynn and provided service. We appreciate Intermountain Homecare and Hospice, especially his nurse Suzie Clark and aide Tara. Memorial services will be held at the church house located at 5658 W. Yukon Park Lane (12200 South), Herriman, UT 84096 (adjacent to Copper Mountain Middle School).
Viewings: Friday, October 12 from 6 to 8 pm, and Saturday, October 13 from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Funeral services: Saturday, October 13 at 12 noon. Interment: Herriman City Cemetery directly after the funeral service.
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