James D Crane

Born in Madalia, MN, on August 9, 1930, Dr. Crane spent his childhood in North Warren, PA, where he graduated from North Warren High School. While there he excelled in football and basketball. He then served his country during the Korean War in the Army. He completed undergraduate studies and medical school at Duke University in 1962. While there he met and married his wife of 50 years, Barbara.

Dr. Crane completed his Rotating Internship and Pediatric Residency at Duval County Medical Center in 1965. He was in private practice in Jacksonville from 1965 until his retirement in 1997. He took care of many generations of children and spent many nights in hospitals with a sick child. During his career, Dr. Crane served as President of Medical Staff at Wolfson Childrens’s Hospital, Vice Chairman of the Dept. of Pediatrics at Baptist Medical Center and also an Associate Professor with the University of Florida’s College of Medicine.

Jim was a true adventurer, traveling to 6 of the 7 continents. Highlights of his travels included a trip down the Amazon in a cowboat and 3 trips to Africa, one of which was with the American Medical Team in Tanzania. His love for animals is expressed through his artwork. Other hobbies included wood crafting and his Wednesday golf game.

Dr. Crane was a man of few words who loved his family. He considered his home to be his castle and his black recliner was his throne.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Grace Dewar Crane and Dr. Jacob Crane, and by his beloved brother, Dr. Richard Crane. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters, Lisa Crane Glisson, Karen Crane Anderson and husband Dr. Scott Anderson of Tampa, FL, and Tiffany Crane of New Orleans, LA.; grandsons: Ian, Kemper, Coleman and Addison Glisson; granddaughters: Lindsay, Sydney and Taylor Anderson; sister Patricia Gustafson and her husband Milton Gustafson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dr. Crane’s life will be celebrated with a memorial mass at Christ the King Catholic Church, 742 Arlington Road, Jacksonville, FL 32211 officiated by Father Thanh Thai Nguyen on Saturday, March 17th at 2:30 p.m. The mass will be followed by a reception at the Blessed John XXIII Hall where family will receive friends. Funeral arrangements made by Hardage Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or to Community Hospice of Jacksonville.