Fletcher F. Pete Cranford, Sr.

Obituary: Fletcher F. Cranford, Sr., age 90, passed away Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Bob & Carolyn Tucker Hospice House, Kannapolis, NC.Born March 9, 1921 in Richfield, NC, Fletcher was the youngest son of the late Samuel Walter Cranford and Dellie Jane Canupp Cranford. He was a 1938 graduate of Richfield High School. Following his graduation he moved to Kannapolis with his brother, Bill, to work at Service Oil Company. While working at Service Oil he met the love of his life, Kathryn Foutz, whom he married on July 28, 1944. Fletcher served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corp as an airplane and engine mechanic stationed in Sioux City, Iowa. After being discharge from service, he and Kathryn returned to Kannapolis, where he managed Service Oil and later Service Distributing until his retirement due to ill health in 1991.As an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and New Hope Lutheran Church, Fletcher served as church treasurer, council member, Luther League leader, and choir member. He was a member of the parish Fellowship Committee, Lutheran Men, and the Good Timers Senior Citizen group. He also served as Scout Master of Troop 97 in the early 1960's. He was a charter member of the Kannapolis Sanitary District Volunteer Fire Department. Fletcher was an avid gardener and all-around handyman. Over the years Fletcher and Kathryn were lucky enough to travel to all fifty states as well as, Canada and Mexico.Fletcher was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, William "Bill", Alvin, Reese, Vance, and Adam Cranford; sisters, Marie Harwood, Josephine Misenheimer, and Jacqueline Canfield. Fletcher was a true Christian and family man who will be greatly missed by all who had the opportunity to know him. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 67 years, Kathryn Foutz Cranford; a son, Fletcher Cranford, Jr. & wife, Shari of Columbia, SC; a daughter, Kathy Hunter & husband, Mike of Kannapolis, NC; grandchildren, Susan Locker & husband, Chris of Chapin, SC, Jason Cranford of Chicago, IL, Kathryn Murph & husband, Nathan of Kannapolis, NC, and Michael Hunter & wife, Susan of Hilton Head, SC; great-grandchildren, Jay and Ashley Locker, Kaylee and Taylor Murph, and Brynn Hunter.The family will receive friends on Monday, October 17, 2011 from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. at Whitley's Funeral Home. A service of celebration and rememberance will be will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at New Hope Lutheran Church, Kannapolis, NC at 11:00 A.M. officiated by Rev. Kim Trabold and Rev. Maurice Staley. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC with military rites by the Cabarrus County Veterans Guard Honor. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Building Fund of New Hope Lutheran Church, 1615 Brantley Road, Kannapolis, NC or Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.The family would like to thank the staffs of Five Oaks Manor, Caremoor Retirement Center, and Hospice & Palliative Care for their love and care during the final months, weeks, and days of Fletcher's life.
Visitation: The family will receive friends on Monday, October 17, 2011 from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. at Whitleys Funeral Home.

Service: A service of celebration and rememberance will be will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at New Hope Lutheran Church, Kannapolis, NC at 11:00 A.M.

Interment: Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC with military rites by the Cabarrus County Veterans Guard Honor.