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Alex Sanderson Crank, 75, went to be with the Lord on Monday, September 24, 2007. He was born January 11, 1932 in Garland, Arkansas to Elmer Bill" and Vera L. Crank. After attending Southern Arkansas University, he entered into military service in the US Army during the Korean War and was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, TX where he met and married his Air Force sweetheart, Novella Mae Steer of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania. They recently celebrated their 53rd anniversary. In addition to working for a short time on the Southern Pacific Railroad, Crank" was an entrepreneur of landscaping, soft drink home delivery, and used car and parts sales and service for fifty years. He was most proud of the service to the City of San Antonio for 34 years 1958-1993 as a Professional Firefighter. Mr. Crank was the recipient of the 7th Annual Fireman's Award in 1967. The Guy Cude Award was bestowed upon the Fireman who made the most outstanding contribution to the community and to civic projects." Its motto is "What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us but what we have done for others and the world lives on forever." He served local PTAs for 30 years in San Antonio ISD and East Central ISD. He received a State Life Membership in PTA in 1973. Not only did he receive several county and state 4-H awards as a youth, but he served as an adult 4-H leader for 11 years. As a life member, Mr. Crank served on the San Antonio Livestock Exposition Auction Committee for 25 years. He was a long-time member of Harmony Baptist Church where he served in a variety of positions. He was known to most as "Papa Crank and was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting. Some of the best times of his life were spent on treks in the state of Colorado. He is preceded in death by parents, siblings, numerous aunts and cousins, and his son, John Edward Crank 1962-1978. He is survived by his wife, Novella; daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Greg Root; son, Alex S. Crank, II; son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Melissa Crank; grandchildren, Christopher and Jennifer Sauer; Amy Crank Gallien; Alexis Crank and Jerry Fewox; Charles Thomas and Coty Stephens; Travis, Andrew, Kaylee, and Christina Crank, and great-grandchildren, Tyler, Dyson, and Hunter Gallien. He is also survived by his brother, Billy B. Crank and family of Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as countless other family and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Harmony Baptist Church Building Fund, 12088 Old Corpus Christi Rd., San Antonio, TX 78223. The Crank family also wishes to encourage all who are able to donate the gift of blood to do so on the 5th floor of University Hospital of San Antonio. The excellent care and treatment of our family, while there, will never be forgotten.

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Alex Sanderson Crank

January 11, 1932 - September 24, 2007