Chris Crane had just turned 57 and was a husband, father and grandfather who passed away after a battle with cancer.
WACO, Texas — Waco is mourning the loss of Chris Crain, a beloved soul who made a lasting impact on the community. Crain, 57, passed away July 23 after a battle with cancer and was part of the nonprofit organization “Waco Goodfellas.”
The organization strives to give back and help families in need during the holiday season. The organization has donated more than $1 million to the Waco community.
“We’ve looked after between 3,000 and 5,000 kids in 30 years,” said Randy Crook, president of the organization. “Many of these kids went from struggling in life to now being part of our community, working as schoolteachers, bankers, lawyers. Twenty years ago, they were just struggling to get by.”
Giving back to the community with a smile was something Crane was passionate about.
Crane was passionate about Goodfellas and loved raising funds for their work, he loved helping to spread some cheerfulness to the kids in our community who needed it most.
“He’s in the top three of the best guys, I’ve seen them all,” Crook said.
Despite battling cancer for several years, Crane remained cheerful, encouraging and always smiling.
“He was a kind-hearted man,” Crook said.
Close friends say Crain was truly one of a kind.
“Throughout his battle with cancer, he was mentoring people and calling daily or weekly to check in and make sure they were OK,” Crain’s best friend, Becky Murphy, told 6 News. “Even while he was going through chemotherapy, he was talking to other people going through treatment to make sure everyone was OK.”
Crane was also a family man, survived by his wife, four children, and several grandchildren.
“He was the anchor,” Murphy said.
Although Crane is no longer in Central Texas, his acts of compassion and service will be remembered by all who had the privilege of meeting him.
“It’s a great loss,” Murphy added, “and there will be a hole in our community for some time. He left a mark on our hearts and will never be forgotten.”
The funeral service will be held on Friday, July 26th at 10:00 AM at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Dr, Woodway, Texas.
A celebration of life will be held at Lorena’s Barn from 5-8 p.m.
