Obituaries : Terry Cranston

Terry Cranston, 84, passed away on February 18, 2024, at Kansas City Hospice House after a long illness. Terry was born in Vinton, Iowa on March 27, 1939, to Robert and Irene Cranston of Van Horne, Iowa. He was a big brother to Tom and Holly, and he cherished that role. When he was in the fifth grade the family moved to Atkins, Iowa. Terry missed Van Horne and always considered it his home. Terry spent his teenage years helping his beloved uncles on their Van Horne farms. His Uncle Heinie taught him everything he needed to know about mechanics, and he used that knowledge throughout his life. If you needed something fixed, all you had to do was call Terry. Terry graduated from Atkins High School in 1957 and married the love of his life, Patty Cantwell, on August 22, 1959. They welcomed Rod, Lorri, and Lissa into their family and made their home is Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Terry began his electronics career in 1959 at Collin's Radio Company and later moved to Turner Microphone as the Regional Sales Manager. He had the opportunity to participate in the Think Tank in Chicago, where they were developing the use of microphones in McDonald's drive-throughs. In 1976, the family moved to Overland Park, Kansas, where he assumed the role of Regional Sales Manager for Midland Radio Company. He made many friends throughout the United States. In 1980, Terry became the Special Markets Sales Representative for Zenith Distributing, where he marketed televisions to hotels and hospitals.
In 1991, Terry and Patty moved to acreage in Bucyrus, Kansas, where they lived for 30 years. His lifelong dream of living in the country was finally fulfilled. He spent many years collecting and restoring gardens tractors and a Farmall B tractor. Due to his declining health, Terry and Patty moved back to Overland Park in 2020 to be closer to family.
Terry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Patty; children, Rod (Michelle) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Lorri Jackson (Dave) of Overland Park, Kansas and Lissa Hundelt (Chris) of Overland Park, Kansas; his three grandchildren, Madison Abercrombie (Dustin), Lukas Shearer (Jessica) and Jordan Shearer (Levi); two great-grandsons, Jaxon and Hudson and bonus great-granddaughter, Layna, and a sweet baby girl to be born in June; step-grandchildren, Carter Richardson, Cameron, Bailey and Caleb Hundelt. Terry is also survived by his brother, Tom (Becky); brother-in-law, DeWayne Gefaller; sisters-in-law, Mary Jean Tecklenburg and Ellen Stevens; special cousin, Jean Kubu; along with many nieces and nephews.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Irene Cranston; his father and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Della Cantwell; sister, Holly Gefaller; nephews, Todd Gefaller and Paul Noeller; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Vomhof and Shirley Miller; brothers-in-law, Duane Tecklenburg, Donald Stevens, Lyle Miller and Ervine Vomhof.
The family would like to thank the staff of Overland Park Regional Hospital and the Kansas City Hospice House for the excellent care during his final days.
A visitation for Terry will be held Friday, March 8, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at McGilley & Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS 66204. A private family memorial service will follow the visitation.