CRANER, JAMES R. of Pontiac, passed away April 5, 2021 at 94 years of age. Loving husband of the late Lena Mae (nee Christian); dear father of Marlene (Dave) Cowan, James L. Craner, Robert Craner, and the late Cameron Craner; grandfather of Donald James (Jeri Stroupe) Craner, Julia Rhea (John) Cooper, and Kaity Craner; great grandfather of Benjamin James Cooper. Preceded death by 3 sisters. Jim was a graduate of Stirling High School and a veteran US Navy-WWII. He began his working career with the railroad in Omer, MI and would move to Pontiac and retire from Pontiac Motor Division in 1982. Jim played baseball and basketball and would take annual trips out west to hunt. Indoors, he was a top notch euchre player. His true passion in recent years was fishing. Fishing was his favorite thing to do, so much so, that when he wasn't fishing he was fishing in his dreams. His strong steadfast gaze and little smirk of a smile will be dearly missed by his beloved family. A private graveside service will be held at Oakland Hills Cemetery, Novi.