Dr. Charles Arthur Crane

Dr. Charles A. Crane, 87, died peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of January 12, 2026 in his home in Eagle, Idaho. Charles was born July 4, 1938 in Holly, Oregon to Claude and Jesse Crane. He graduated with a Bachelor of Sacred Literature from The Churches of Christ School of Evangelists in Portland, Oregon and was ordained into ministry in 1962. He continued his education at Lincoln Christian Seminary, receiving his Master of Arts in 1975 and his Master of Divinity in 1977. In that same year he received the St. Luke’s Clinical Pastoral Education certificate. He went on to earn his Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary in 1978. 

After beginning his ministry in Portland, Oregon, he served in successful ministries in: Sutherlin, Oregon; Salt Lake City, Utah; Moweaqua, Illinois; Caldwell, Idaho; and, Eugene, Oregon. He was President of Boise Bible College from 1990 to 2007. After retirement, he worked part-time on staff at Eagle Christian Church in Eagle, Idaho. Through the years, he wrote numerous books, was published in many journals and magazines, and featured in radio, TV programs and film on topics ranging from personal finance, to church growth, ministerial life, cults and religion. Charles traveled, led Holy Land tours, and spoke internationally in too many countries to count. He received the lifetime achievement award from Lincoln Christian College and Seminary in 1999. 

Charles was an entrepreneur, whose hobbies generally focused on generating money to supplement his income. Through the years, he bought, repaired and sold various cars (mostly Volkswagens), dabbled in rental property, and collected, repaired and sold fountain pens. He also loved cars, motorcycles, and aviation—logging over 2,000 hours of flight time traveling on behalf of BBC, raising support and finding potential students. Most of all, Charles loved the church, praying for hundreds of people daily, specifically for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Charles was not allowed to pray for Thanksgiving dinner for fear that the food would get cold because his gratitude list was so long.

Charles married Margaret Lucile Ross on Thanksgiving Day in 1957. Margaret and her musical abilities greatly complimented his ministry throughout their 63 years of marriage. Charles and Margaret had three children, CarolBeth (Richard) Lowell, Doug (Carolyn) Crane, and Steve (Sally) Crane, along with 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. After Margaret’s passing, Charles married Patti Lieberg Flentye on June 10, 2022, who brought such joy to the last few years of his life, and adding her children Jeff (Ashley) Wheeler, Trisha (Guillermo) Alvarez, Alicia (Terry) McCauley, Pete (Lisa) Wheeler and 10 grandchildren to the family.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife Margaret, his brother Alan Crane, and is survived by his brother David Crane. 

Services will be held for Dr. Crane at Eagle Christian Church, 100 S. Short Rd in Eagle, ID at 11:00 am on Friday, January 30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Eagle Christian Church or Boise Bible College.

Arrangements under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor, Garden City, Idaho.