Robert Bruce Cranford ^{1 2}

  General Notes:

DALLAS-- On Monday, April 3, 2006, Robert Bruce Cranford left us to play ball with the Lord. Bruce was born June 19, 1961, to Aaron and Maryanne Cranford. Bruce was very active in sports growing up. He lettered in three sports in high school: football, basketball and baseball. He was a graduate of Angelo State University. On his time away from school, Bruce shared his love of sports by coaching the Grape Creek Packers. They enjoyed lots of success under his leadership. After leaving San Angelo, he settled in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He took a job with the United States government, where he worked for 19 years at the Department of Labor. Living in the Metroplex as a single father was a perfect opportunity for Bruce to continue sharing his love of sports. With his son, Tyler, at his side, Bruce coached basketball for the YMCA. As Tyler grew older, they moved from basketball to Bruce's true love, baseball. Together, they had several winning seasons with the Arlington Travelers. For the past 22 years that Bruce had lived in the Metroplex, there was one thing that he did without fail. He made every home opener of the Texas Rangers. This year was no different. He was not able to make it in person, but the call of the "Play ball!" was so strong that he had to go in spirit. Bruce will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Buttolph-Cranford; son Tyler Cranford; daughters Shannon Cranford and Jena Cranford; grandmother Joyce "Mama" Arnold; father and stepmother Aaron and Marilyn Cranford; sister Stacey Shepherd and husband Jeff Shepherd; three brothers, Del Cranford, Layne Cranford and Kelly Cranford; uncle Mike "Stubby" Arnold; and aunt and uncle Janell and Dennis Burk. He had one nephew, four nieces and scores of cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Russell Arnold; grandparents D.A. Roe and Jean B. Roe; and his mother, Maryanne Roe Cranford. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at the Northland Christian Church, 9949 McCree Road, Dallas, TX 75238. Memorial donations may be made to the Little League organization of your choice

Tyler Pierce Cranford, b. 17 Oct 1984 Tom Green County, is his son with Lonna Jean Flippo.

Robert married Ruby Linda Bynum, daughter of Lowell M. Bynum and Daisy Marie Poer.