David "Dave" Harold Cranford

David "Dave" Harold Cranford passed from this life with his bride by his side and was welcomed into the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in December 2024.

Born in Colorado to Jimmie Dean and Altha Rae (Davis) Cranford, Dave was the 2nd of three sons. Dave’s childhood was blessed as he and his brothers shared a close bond with each other, were taught about Jesus by their mom who was their Sunday School class teacher, and were coached in sports by their dad.

The family later moved to Kansas Dave's freshman year of high school, where he enjoyed playing football and basketball.

Dave graduated from Kansas State with dual bachelor's degrees in Accounting and Finance and obtained his MBA from the University of Houston. He worked in the private sector for major corporations for a number of years and then decided to pursue a career change where he could have greater, lasting impact. He obtained his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver in just one year and worked for local municipalities in finance for experience with intent to pursue public administration and policy at the federal level in D.C.

But as fate would have it, an employment opportunity in Texas positioned him to meet and marry Alva Logsdon. That divine meeting changed his career path, and Dave finally established permanent roots after an exciting finance career had taken him throughout Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Virginia, and a number of Texas cities.

Dave worked for several Texas municipalities and retired from the City of the Colony, where he served as Finance Director; he enjoyed working on Grandscape and The Tribute economic developments.

Alva's large extended family and friends also fell in love with Dave and warmly welcomed him into the family.

From a young age, Dave loved sports and fitness, especially cycling through the Colorado Rocky Mountains, working out daily, renovating residential properties, studying God's Word, helping others, and he had served in several capacities at church, including the move ministry.

Dave and Alva met while serving together in church, and as kindred spirits in faith and service, continued to find opportunities to serve throughout their years together.
Dave also joined Alva in animal rescue, fostering dogs, and traveling coast-to-coast and internationally for grand adventures and exciting concert tours.

But Dave's greatest life passion was sharing his faith in Jesus Christ with others through humility, acceptance, service, and generosity. He lived simply and gave generously. He allowed God's compassion, love, and patience to flow through him as he befriended and helped people often shunned by others for being different and not fitting in; these precious ones knew they had a trusted friend they could count on in Dave.

Dave enjoyed excellent health and career success, but in late 2021, his world suddenly changed as a cruel illness hit him harshly and demanded a significantly slowed pace. As horrific as the illness was on Dave's body, his relationship with Jesus grew profoundly stronger, and his relationship with Alva more beautiful than ever. He was so brave through it all; he trusted God completely and did not fear death because he knew Heaven, in Jesus presence, was far greater than anything he could imagine or experience here.

Even in his last days, amidst great pain and suffering, Dave continued to help others: assisting an executive he had mentored, praying for hospice team members, giving generously to ministries and non-profits, praying for his family's peace and comfort for what was to come, and continually thanking Alva for her care, praying with, and preparing her for the future without him.

Dave was preceded in death by his father, Jim; mother-in-law, Jean Logsdon; maternal and paternal grandparents; aunts; uncles; Maggie Mae, and Tiko.

Left to cherish Dave's memory is his wife, Alva; mom, Altha; brothers: Curt (Amy), Greg (Donna); Aunts: Doris Davis Eddy, Pat Davis Martin, Jo Ann Davis Ratliff, Doris Logsdon Underhill, Wilma Ruth Samuel; Uncle James Wilson; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, and colleagues. And his beloved pups, who still miss and search for him.

As you remember Dave and the impact his life had, he would want you first and foremost to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and to tell others about His saving grace. Dave never wanted the spotlight; he wanted to point people to faith in Jesus.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that in Dave's memory, you too find a way to make a difference in the life of another—for Christ's glory.

With deep gratitude to the Faith Presbyterian Hospice/T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Gateway Funeral & Cremations teams for the exemplary, loving compassion and care you provided to both Dave and Alva.

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16

Dave enjoyed listening to music and below are three songs he requested frequently in his last years, finding such meaning in the lyrics and peace in the melodies; there’s a strong message of love and faith in each:

In Christ Alone:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbgG0Monvd8

 Arthur's Theme:
https://youtu.be/xWoGS5B9fvA?si=BEmQAw8QvhoQXbeY

Under Pressure:
"Why can't we give love that one more chance?
...
'Cause love's such an old-fashioned word
And love dares you to care for
The people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyT8mVwf_40

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