CRANMER, Owen Lee

The Sedona Red Rock News, Sedona, Arizona Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003 Owen Lee Cranmer, 84, a long-time Verde Valley physician, died Dec. 10, 2003. Mr. Cranmer came to the Verde Valley in 1952 from Fairbanks, Alaska, with his wife Florine (Becky) of 60 years. He received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Washington and his medical degree from the University of Oregon, with residency studies in obstetrics, gynecology, anesthesiology and pathology. After serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corp during WW II and reaching the rank of Captain, Dr. Cranmer completed his pathology residency at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. From there he moved to Alaska to begin his OB/GYN practice, where he often had to fly into the rugged bush country to deliver a baby. In 1952, at the urging of his long-time childhood friend and neighbor, Dr. Kenneth Brilhart, he moved to Clarkdale and began his practice of medicine at Marcus J. Lawrence Memorial Hospital (now VVMC). During his 29-year career in the Verde Valley, Dr. Cranmer served as medical chief of staff, as well as a member of the board of directors for the hospital, while at the same time delivering more than 5,000 babies. His patients would come from all reaches of Northern Arizona, and he even had families follow him down from Alaska. In 1981, when he found himself delivering third generation Verde Valley families, he decided it was time to retire. One of his greatest pleasures in retirement was the sharing of his love and passion of collecting stamps, a hobby that he started as a youth. He was a regular in many local classrooms, where he could be found presenting stories about the history of our country, the Wild West, the history of aviation or any other subject that he thought would be of interest to students all illustrated with pictures of stamps he had collected over the years. When not on the road traveling the North American continent in his Airstream trailer with his wife, he could be found attending local writing workshops at Yavapai College, where he enjoyed developing his creative writing skills. He published many articles in various stamp and trailering magazines. Even in the darkness of his fight against Alzheimer?s disease, his gentle care-giving nature and compassion for his family and fellow man always shone through. He will be dearly missed. Dr. Cranmer is survived by his wife, Becky; daughters Vicki Dewbre of Dallas, Texas, Susan Ferebee of Nipomo, Calif., Liz Wolfe of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; sons Richard Cranmer of Cottonwood, Ariz. and George Cranmer of San Marcos, Calif.; and 13 grandchildren. A memorial service was held Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Wescott Funeral Home in Cottonwood. A reception and celebration of Mr. Cranmer's life was held immediately after the service at his home in Clarkdale. Dr. Cranmer's ashes were interned in the Columbarium at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Clarkdale, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in his loving memory to either Northern Arizona Hospice, Cottonwood, Ariz., or to the Northern Arizona Alzheimer's Association. ------------------------------- Cranmer M.D., Owen Lee Owen Lee Cranmer, M.D., 84, of Clarkdale, Arizona, passed away December 10, 2003. Mr. Cranmer served in the United States Army Med Corps; WWII. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, December 13, 2003, 3:00 PM at Westcott Funeral Home, 1013 E. Mingus Ave., Cottonwood, AZ. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 225 Crave Ave., Ste. B, Prescott, AZ 86301 or to Northern AZ Hospice, 203 S. Candy Ln., Cottonwood, AZ 86326. Published in the Arizona Republic on 12/12/2003.