Funeral mass for Lt. Colonel Michael Gregory Cranston, 47, of Tanner, AL and formerly of Greenville will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 2 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He died Thursday, March 29 in Alabama. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens with Military Honors. Services are under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Greenville.
Mike was born in Crossett, Arkansas on March 30, 1964. He grew up in Greenville, MS and graduated in 1982 from St. Joseph High School. In 1986 he earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Delta State University, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He received his Master of Forestry degree and a Master of Business Administration degree in 1992 from Mississippi State University.
Mike married Missi Davis Cranston on August 19, 1989 in Clinton, MS. He was a long term member of the Air National Guard, proudly serving his country from 1987 to present. He attended Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. He volunteered to serve two tours of duty in Kuwait.
Mike was employed at International Paper from 1992 – 2011 and was a member of the Society of American Foresters, the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas Forestry Associations, The Mississippi Board of Registered Foresters, the National Guard Association of Mississippi, the National Guard Association of the United States, and the USA Triathlon Association.
Mike was a licensed pilot who loved outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, kayaking, and bicycling. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was much beloved by his friends and family.
Mike is survived by his wife, Missi Davis Cranston; his daughters, McKenzie and Molly Cranston; his parents, Bob and Dorothy Cranston; his sisters, Kimberly Cranston Bergeron and Christy Cranston Bergeron; and his brother, Keith Cranston.
A visitation will be held 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 1 at Boone Funeral Home, Greenville with a prayer service to follow at 7:00. Memorials may be made to the the 172nd Airlift Wing Family Relief Fund, 141 Military Drive, Jackson, MS 39232.
A visitation will also be held 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 4 at Central United Methodist Church in Decatur, Alabama.