Obituaries

Robert Hughes Crank

Photo of Robert  Hughes Crank
Robert Hughes Crank died in the early morning of April 25 of natural causes while visiting his childhood home and gathering with family. Robert, a resident of Heber Springs, was born June 10, 1945 in Texarkana, Ark. He was the son of Marion and Polly Crank and raised in Foreman, Ark. Robert is survived by his wife, Nadi Crank of Heber Springs; his son, Chad Crank; daughter in law, Kim Crank;grandchildren, Oliver, Addison, Hannah and John; step-daughter, Kim Collins, Kaytie Harley, Amber Russell; grandchildren, Taylor, Joey, Olivia; and sisters, Marianne Maynard (Neil), Margaret Amps and Elisabeth Carter (Dwight). He was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Jackson Crank. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1967 and the University of Arkansas Law School in 1971. He began his legal career in the Arkansas Attorney General's office in 1971 and became Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Pulaski County in 1973. He moved to Walnut Ridge, Ark. in 1981 and established a successful private legal practice. In 1987 he became Prosecuting Attorney for Lawrence County, where he retired in 2002 after suffering a disabling stroke. He also served as the Walnut Ridge City Attorney. After working as a US Congressional Aid and participating in the political campaigns of his father, Marion Crank, he was inspired to a lifetime of public service and was an important aspect of his professional career. Robert served over 15 years in the Arkansas National Guard in the Judge Advocate Generals Office, achieving the rank of Captain after enlisting as a Private in 1968. He was an active leader in the Boy Scouts of America for over a decade after activating the organization in Walnut Ridge. He was also a passionate outdoorsman, fisherman and competitive rifleman. He was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church and an active member of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Heber Springs. Memorials can be made to St. Francis Episcopal Church at 20 Woodland Cove Dr, Heber Springs, Ark. 72543. Funeral Services will be held Monday April 27 at 2 in Foreman, Ark. at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. Online Registration is available at maddenfuneralservice.com.

Published April 26, 2015

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