Claude "Ray" Crane

Claude "Ray" Racine Crane, 83, of Gastonia, NC, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at the Robin Johnson Hospice House.  He was born October 27, 1939, in Gaston County and was the son of the late Fletcher and Ila Penner Crane.

He was a lifelong member of Epic Church, formerly Linwood Church of God, Gastonia, where he formerly served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was known to the children at church as the "sucker man".   He has also attended Calvary Free Will Baptist Church.  Claude was a volunteer at Meals on Wheels and Crisis Assistance Ministry, and a member of the Lions Club.  He retired from Wix Filters.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Jackie Ferguson and Margaret Ransom; brothers, Otis, Bobby, and Palmer Crane.

He is survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Diane Crawley Crane; son, Jeffrey Crane (fiancée, April Piña); brother, Charles Crane (Sandra); sisters, Georgia Collins, Johnsie Cloninger, and Patsy Long (Charles); grandchildren, Maria, Kimberly, and Joseph.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, January 23, at Epic Church, 830 Linwood Rd. Gastonia, with Pastor Chad Collins and Rev. Mike Wilson officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will follow at Gaston Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the Lions Club 1678-C Robins Nest Court Gastonia, NC 28054 or Crisis Assistance Ministry 805 W. Airline Ave. Gastonia, NC 28052.

Condolences may be made online at www.greenefuneral.com.