Sidney Dixon Crane ’40

Sidney Dixon Crane ’40, 91, died peacefully at his home in Indianapolis, Ind., on Nov. 4. Crane was born in the Belgian Congo, where his parents were Presbyterian missionaries. His family tradition of religious service led to his personal dedication to God at age 14. He lived in the Congo until he entered Davidson; he then attended Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Va. Upon his ordination, he led ministries in North Carolina, where he met Mary Council Horne; they married in 1943 and had two children, Charles and Missy. Crane served as a chaplain in the Army of Occupation in Korea, 1945-47. From 1952-59, he served as minister at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park, Md. In 1963 he received a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary and joined the administration of the Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Va. He was later called to Thalia Trinity Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, Va. He left the ministry and worked in human relations for TB Wood’s Company, Chambersburg, Pa., until retiring to the mountains of Virginia. He and Mary Council moved to Indianapolis to be close to their daughter’s family in 1992, and he enjoyed seeing his grandchildren grow up. Crane continued his Christian ministry by providing counseling to prisoners at Pendleton Correctional Facility. He was an active member of First Friends Meeting, where he especially enjoyed challenging people to explore common truths found in all religions. A lifelong learner, he read avidly and often quoted from books he had read years before. He supported many causes in a sincere effort to make a difference in world peace, hunger, and social justice. He is survived by his loving wife, Ann Kendall Crane, 7459 Longleat Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46240; son, Charles Crane; daughter, Missy Logie (Keith); grandchildren, Carrie, Hannah, and Stephen; and numerous nieces and nephews.