WILLIAMSBURG - A man who spent decades shaping the minds and hearts of students in Callaway County died Tuesday.
Joe White Crane, 83, of Williamsburg, died Tuesday morning at Fulton Presbyterian Manor. He was born in Fulton, attended Fulton High School and was the owner of Crane's Country Store and Crane's Museum in Williamsburg.
His son, David Crane, who manages Crane's Country Store, said his father's role as principal at Hatton McCredie Elementary School reached further than the school's walls.
"He was a constant educator," he said. "He was always a teacher and principal, so he always found a way to teach things at every juncture of his life."
Joe's tendency to teach at every opportunity led to many tender moments with his grandchildren, David said.
"I have two sons, and he would always encourage them," he added. "He'd help them build Pinewood Derby cars for Cub Scouts and always have them come into his wood shop to help them appreciate the finer things in life."
Joe was remembered by customers for his humor and his iconic red suspenders, David said.
"He got to a point where he didn't wear a belt anymore," he said. "We sell red suspenders, and he started to wear them. He said he was part of the dinosaur's club where you only wear red suspenders and don't have a smartphone."
David said he also remembers his father's relationship with Marlene King, his wife of 56 years. She died Dec. 4.
"(Their relationship) was great," he said. "They were educators together. She worked as an artist at Hallmark, and he's the one who convinced her to go back to school and get her teaching certificate."
His wife, who taught at Williamsburg Elementary, had a friendly rivalry with Joe, who was principal in nearby Hatton, David said.
"However, they were always in agreement that the kids were always the most important part of their job," he added.
David said his father was also monumental in opening the Crane's Museum, an addition to the general store.
"He built the museum as another way to educate people and tell a story," he said. "A lot of people have lots of memories of him, and some people grew up with him. I was lucky enough to share with them in that."
One of Joe's students at the elementary school was Tom Christensen, owner of Christensen Construction in Kingdom City. He said he remembers what it felt like to see Joe at school.
"Joe, who was principal at the time, was very intimidating," he said. "As I grew older, I knew he had a plan for each and every student. He was always teaching, whether you knew it or not."
Christensen said he also got to know Joe from a different light as he transitioned from student to adult.
"After I was out of college, I considered him one of my good friends," he added. "I was lucky to know him; he was quite a guy. He always had an encouraging word, stern voice and fair mind."
The greatest lesson he learned from Joe, said Christensen, was to talk less and listen more.
"He taught me patience and listening," he said. "Joe was always a very good listener, and he was just a good guy."
David Crane said his quick-witted and sometimes sarcastic father had a knack for seeing potential in his students, even when others failed to see it.
"He taught me to be fair with everybody," he added. "He taught me to understand not everybody's a great athlete or the perfect student, but everybody has something in them that's worth something."
Joe Crane is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Amy, and two grandsons, Trask and Mason Crane, all of Fulton.
Memorial services will be 4 p.m. Sunday at the Old Auxvasse Nine Mile Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, and internment will be at the Williamsburg Cemetery. Visitation is 1-4 p.m. at the church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Williamsburg Cemetery or the Fulton FABLAB.