James Craner

James Lamar Craner

Mar. 18, 1931 – Jan. 28, 2015

James Lamar Craner, 83, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2015, surrounded by his loving family, from complications of congestive heart failure.

James was born on March 18, 1931 in Ogden, Utah to Harry E. and Agnes (Sal) Scott Faddis Craner.  He graduated from Ogden High School and was the Utah State JROTC marksmanship champion in 1949. In 1951, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Korea and Japan.

On February 14, 1957, Jim married Barbara Bouck. They later solemnized their marriage in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

He was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in which he served in numerous callings. Jim and Barbara served in the Slovenia-Croatia Mission, August 2004 – March 2006. They also served as Hosts at the Peter Whitmer Home during the Hill Cumorah Pageant in July of 2013.

In 1957, Jim received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Utah. He worked as an editorial cartoonist for the Standard Examiner during the late 70s and enjoyed his association with Murray Moler.

Jim’s work life included being a concept illustrator for Thiokol Chemical Corp. He then started and ran a company with a group of friends called Insta-lay Processing. He later became a Financial Consultant and Life/Health underwriter in 1967. He served as President of the Ogden Life Underwriters Assoc. and was a member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

He was a talented artist and completed many paintings in both water color and oils. He has been a gun collector for many years and is a long-time member of the Utah Gun Collectors Assoc.

Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 57 years, Barbara Bouck Craner. He is also survived by his children, Connie (Steve) Bailey, Riverdale; Doug (Julie) Craner, Pleasant View; Ryan Craner, Ogden; Tyler (Debbie) Craner, Asuncion Paraguay; former daughter-in-law Leahmay (Jody) Earl, Pleasant View; 13 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, six great- grandchildren and one on the way. Also surviving is his sister Carolyn (Dennis) Slater, St. George; in-laws Jerry (Laraine) Bouck, Las Vegas; and Carol Winkler, Ogden.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Gary Craner.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday February 2, 2015 at the Burch Creek 2nd Ward, 5161 South 1300 East, South Ogden. The family will meet with friends on Sunday (yes, we know it's the Super Bowl)  from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Monday prior to Funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.