Roy Franklin Cranford, Jr.

Roy Franklin Cranford Jr., 87, of North Carolina, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025. Born in Vinton, Virginia on June 30, 1937, to Roy F. Cranford Sr. and Minnie Minton Cranford, Frank was one of eleven children raised with strong values of service, humility, and dedication.

Frank proudly served his country for 27 years as a Navy Corpsman, including two tours in the Vietnam War, where he was stationed with the 3rd Marines in Da Nang Province. He also served at Camp Lejeune (Jacksonville, NC), Naval Station Norfolk (VA), and Cape Hatteras, NC, providing medical care for both minor illnesses and battlefield injuries. Although he rarely spoke of his military service, the memories of war remained with him. He carried the weight of profound loss—three young medics killed by sniper fire during a training moment, and a Marine who stepped on a mine just moments after rising from a break, Bible still in hand. These haunting experiences led to decades of recurring nightmares that never fully faded.

Even so, Frank remained a calm and capable presence in emergencies. While on leave in Virginia, he came upon a serious car accident. Without hesitation, he sprang into action—triaging the injured, setting broken limbs, and even performing a life-saving tracheostomy. By the time emergency responders arrived, his steady hands had already saved lives. That was who Frank was: steady, skilled, and selfless.

Frank was preceded in death by his siblings: Mary L. Baine (Curtis), Robert E. Cranford (Ethel Mae), Juanita Gant (Willis), Ronnie G. Cranford, Clifton F. Cranford (Margaret), Milton “Mickey” Kenneth Cranford, Joyce J. Whitt (Lacy), and Jerry L. Cranford (Jean); his brother-in-law, Lloyd Bowen; and the mother of his children, Bernadette Fox Cranford.

He is survived by his brother, George L. Cranford (Judith) of North Chesterfield, VA; his sister, Mildred W. Bowen of Buffalo Junction, VA; and his sister-in-law, Shirley Cranford of Stony Point, NC.

Frank’s greatest joy came from his family. He leaves behind three daughters—Darlene Marshall of Conover, NC; Laura Cranford (Larry Homminga) of Taylorsville, NC; and Gina Cranford (Kimberly Gantt) of Cleveland, NC—along with two beloved grandchildren, Noel Davidson and Nathan Marshall; his special niece, Brenda Waters; five great-grandchildren; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

His family takes comfort in knowing he is now reunited with the many loved ones who went before him. His legacy of strength, sacrifice, and unwavering love will live on through all who knew him.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service.

Condolences may be sent to www.alexfuneralservice.com