Russell Cranson

Russell Lee Cranson, 74, of Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas passed peacefully at his home on October 30, 2024, in the care of Hospice.  

Russell was born on June 30, 1950, to Calvin and Mary Cranson in La Junta, Colorado. There he was raised on the Cranson’s Golden Rule Dairy with his six siblings delivering milk and working the farm. After graduating from La Junta High School in 1968 he attended Otero Junior College and kick started his career as a welder.  

In 1970, Russell moved to Odessa, Texas to work in the oilfield. In addition to quickly establishing himself as an expert welder, he also competed with his family and horses in regional rodeos, he was a Mason and rode a motorcycle for the Odessa Shrine Club and was a certified scuba diving instructor. In 1986 he was hired as a welding foreman at Sivalls Inc. Where he worked for 35 years until he retired as plant manager in 2021.  

Russell married Marla Cranson on July 31, 1987, in her father’s home surrounded by family and friends in Odessa, Texas. They enjoyed a life full of treasured memories. Among those were many fishing and hunting trips with family and the grandsons. Russell especially enjoyed watching his grandsons and his many nieces and nephews show their animals in their local stock shows and rodeos. He had a love for his Shetland ponies and enjoyed driving his wagons with family and at local wagon festivals. That love transferred to opening Pony Parties 4 Kids where they gave rides to many kids over the years.  

He is survived by his wife Marla Cranson, their daughter Erin Smith, her husband Josh Smith, and their two children, Blaine and Hunter Smith. He is also survived by his son Dr. Todd Cranson and his wife Dr. Amy Laursen. Russell’s surviving siblings include Linda Senor, Susie Turner, Tead Cranson, Mary Ann Nichols, and his many nieces and nephews he held near and dear to his heart.  

He is preceded in death by his parents Calvin and Mary Cranson, brothers Kenny and Eddie Cranson, and various aunts, uncles, and close friends that were like family to him.  

A memorial service will be held in Odessa, Texas at 1:00pm on November 19 at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A celebration of life will also be held in La Junta, Colorado at the Cowboy Church on November 22 at 11:00am with lunch to follow for family and friends.