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Boyce Orville Cranford

Boyce Orville Cranford

Boyce Orville Cranford, 76, of Little Rock, died Sunday, May 4, 2008. He was born January 20, 1932 in Little Rock. Mr. Cranford entered military service at age 17 and served 36 years in the United States Air Force and the Arkansas Air National Guard. He was a Command Pilot and retired in 1986 as a Brigadier General serving as the Assistant Adjutant General for the Arkansas Air National Guard.

Mr. Cranford formed Cranford Construction Company in 1965 and served as Past President of the Associated General Contractors of Arkansas. He was a 33rd Degree Mason and a Past Master of Trinity Lodge #694. He was also a member of Arkansas Consistory #1, the Scimitar Shrine Temple, and a Jester in Arkansas Court #12, Calvary Baptist Church, and a Life Member of the National Guard Association.

Mr. Cranford is survived by his wife, Patricia Willbanks Cranford; two sons, Steven Michael Cranford and his wife Lillian, of North Little Rock, Bryan Edmund Cranford and his wife Donna, of Little Rock; one sister, Linda Gail Pledger of Sheridan; one brother, Larry Dwight Cranford of Tierra Verde, Florida; and four grandchildren, Jessica and Jason Cranford of North Little Rock and Kathleen and Lauren Cranford of Flower Mound, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmo and Ophie Cranford, his late wife Patsy Jones Cranford and his brother Norman Wayne Cranford.

Memorial services will be 11:00 am Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at Ruebel Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Shriner Hospital for Children (Burn Center), 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa FL 33607 or The American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006.


Condolence Book

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
Tim & Tracey Rosenau | North Little Rock, AR | tsbrose@sbcglobal.net

"Pat, Just wanted you to know that Joe and I are thinking of you and your family at this time. We thought alot of Boyce."
Mary Gibson | North Little Rock, AR | afcunion@sbcglobal.net

"My thoughts and prayers for you all in this trying time. I am sad for the loss, Uncle Boyce was a very blessed man!

Psalms 49:15
"But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me.""

Chad B. Cranford | Carrollton, TX | chadc17@verizon.net

"Pat & Larry,
You both know how special Boyce was to me. We flew hundreds of hours together in four different aircraft. The General even promoted me to Chief airborne in the T-29. He was a great pilot, Commander and most of all a true friend.
My thougts and prayers are with you. God Bless.

Richard"

Richard Green | Hot Springs, AR | angcms4@charter.net

"My parents thought so much of Boyce. They shared good times and lots of laughter. I was so sorry to see his obituary and extend the heartfelt sympathy of the family of Gordon and Jim O'Lee Holt. "
Lee Holt | Little Rock, AR | Steele1223@sbcglobal.com

"Larry - I was shocked and saddened when I saw Boyce's obituary in today's paper. I met him when I joined the 189th Air Guard in 1967. I worked in the command post, so I got to know the pilots pretty well. I remember when you joined as a pilot as well. Boyce was always one of my favorites. He was friendly, kind and had a great sense of humor. I was pleased to read he attained the rank of Bigadier General. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and his other family members.

Bob Highfill"

robert (bobby) highfill | hot springs, AR | rhighfill@hotsprings.org

"Pat and Larry: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family at this time. "
Wayne and Rochelle Cullins | Cabot, AR | wcullins@centurytel.net

"Pat,
We were very saddened by the news of Boyce's passing.He was the finest gentleman I have ever known and one of the best freinds I have ever had. He will be missed always. Our thoughts are with you. Jim & Freda"

Jim Batchelder | Hot Springs, AR | jbatchel@cablelynx.com

"Pat, I wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time and extend my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. God bless you. Brenda "
Brenda Aquilino | Grapevine, AR | baquilino@windstream.net

"Pat, Our thoughts are with you at this time of great loss. We cherish our times at the lake with you and Boyce. "
Robert and Rita | Little Rock, AR | rs52@sbcglobal.net

"Steve and Bryan
With deepest sympathy. My thouths are with you and your family.
Maebeth Bragg
"

Maebeth Bragg | Little Rock, AR |

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
Scott, Tammy & Zoey Cranford | Calera, OK | tammy@dexterward.com

"I Remember Boyce, 1st as an Uncle but close to that a Second parent.. He was always a Solid Man, (But the kind who would let you whisper in his ear,and tell him your secrets,-and keep them) the loving, compassionate, person we all know. He was tough , but knew when to show compassion and respect to others. There are lot's of 1st's with My Uncle, But none other than My 1st Orange Bowl in Miami!! You Will Be Missed Greatly!!!

"WE" Will always LOVE YOU!!! Forever!!!

Scott, Tammy, Zoey Cranford


"

Scott R Cranford | Calera, OK | scottcranford122@yahoo.com

"We are so sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you and your family. We will keep you all in our prayer's. God Bless"
Tom And Shirley Ponder | Sheridan, AR |

"Pat,
Our prayers are with you and your family. The girls and I have really good memories of you and Boyce on the lake.
Tonja, Lyndsay and Katie Black"

Tonja Black | Sulphur , LA | tonja@camtel.net

"Steve & Bryan-
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing.
Just wanted you to know my thoughts are
with you both and your families."

Janice Miles | Maumelle, AR | jcmiles@swbell.net

"I still have thoughts of dropping my parents off at Adams Field for them to fly on a twin engine with Boyce and Patsy to Las Vegas--enough said, I'm sure they are catching up now. Tim Holt--Dr. and Mrs Gordon Holt"
Tim Holt | Little Rock, AR | tjh7090@aol.com

"Larry:

Very sorry to hear about the passing of your brother. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Your old friend...Rex"

Rex and Barbara Lundquist | Huntington Beach, CA |

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