Lex Gerald Cranney Safely home at last 1924-2018 Lex Gerald Cranney, 93, passed away Tuesday, October 16, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. Lex was born on December 16, 1924 at Island (near Oakley) Idaho, the 2nd child and only son of Gerald and Martha L. Smith Cranney, He attended a one-room school, riding his horse to and from school each day. In the school where he attended there were 4 rows, 1 row for each of the grades 1-4. For several years, the school teacher lived with his family. Growing up during the depression was hard and the family all had to work together to survive. They moved from Oakley to Twin Falls, then on to Nampa, Idaho. It was in Nampa that Lex's father died, and Lex felt that, at age 14, he was now man of the house. Later his family resettled to Burley where Lex milked their cow morning and night and sold the milk to the neighbors. During the summer months he rode his bike 20 miles to Oakley to work on his Uncle Dean Cranney's farm, and then caught a ride back to Burley for the weekend. Later he worked at JC Penney after school and on weekends. He graduated from Burley High School, and that fall he rode the bus to Provo to attend BYU with $50 in his pocket with which to enroll and purchase books. In December of that year he was required to register for the draft for World War II. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1943 where he was trained as a gunner and navigator on a B-24 bomber. He was part of a weather reconnaissance squadron flying out of Guam, then Iwo Jima and then Okinawa. While on Okinawa he received his promotion to first lieutenant. They always flew at night, providing weather recon. for bombing runs including the bombing of Hiroshima. After the war his good friend invited him to go on a double date where he met his future bride, Janice Mercer from Oakley. They were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in 1949. Their daughter Ann was born in 1950. In 1952, Lex was recalled into the Air Force for the Korean War. During his training he passed the 11-day survivor training school in the Sierra Nevada mountains, living off the land while avoiding the aggressor force trying to capture them. He lost ll pounds during that ordeal. During the Korean War He was both navigator and bombardier, flying night missions bombing North Korean supply trucks and trains. In 1954, his son, Jerry was born followed in 1955 by Mark (deceased in 1958) and Don in 1959. Lex and his family were transferred to Boise by his company and in 1966 Jan contracted cancer and died. In 1968, Lex married Karen Davis of Boise in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. She brought 3 children to the marriage and family: Sara, Christian and Micah. This last June, Lex and Karen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Karen and Lex served a mission together in the Bacolod, Philippines Mission 1991-1993. Lex said that it was the best thing they ever did. He also faithfully served in 3 bishoprics, on several high councils and served in the Boise LDS Temple for over 20 years. Lex was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Janice Mercer; son Mark; sisters Jean Yarrington and Norma Brown. Remaining to miss him are his wife of 50 years Karen; and his children: Ann, Jerry, Don, Sara, Christian and Micah;16 grandchildren and 21great grandchildren; and his sister Joyce Huff .
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