A. Keith Crandell

Albert Keith Crandell 86 passed from this life on January 1st, 2016, at his home in Mesa surrounded by his family. He was born June 23, 1929 to John and Alice Hatch Crandell in Snowflake, AZ. As a devoted lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he served in many capacities, including missions to Ohio and Tonga. A natural teacher, Keith earned his BA, MA, and Ed.D. from ASU and taught business skills for 11 years before becoming the Vocational Director for Mesa Public Schools. His life's work became centralizing vocational education to best utilize resources. Dr. Crandell was instrumental in creating Mesa Central High School and Mesa VoTech, the precursors to Arizona's first Joint Technical Education District JTED, East Valley Institute of Technology EVIT. He served as EVIT's first Superintendent, retiring in 1992, and sat on the EVIT Board until 2012. He also advised in the formation of several other JTED across Arizona, including NAVIT where he served as the first Superintendent. "Albert" was drafted into the Army in 1951 where he served three years of active duty and then 29 years in the Arizona National Guard. Colonel Crandell led several units in the 180th Artillery and served as Intelligence Officer G2 for the State of Arizona, retiring in 1983. Keith is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carolyn Nusbaum Crandell and six of their children: Bill Crandell, Dianne Kerns-Buonomo, Jean Hilton, Jim Crandell, Kristine Martinez, and Steve Crandell. Two daughters, Colleen Pacific and Carol Rasmussen, and one grandson, Keith John Martinez, preceded him in death. He has 27 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. We will miss him dearly and are grateful for all his love and legacy. A viewing will be from 5:00 - 7:30 PM on Friday, January 8, 2016 at Meldrum Mortuary, 52 N Macdonald in Mesa. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10:00 AM with a viewing one hour prior at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 613 N. Stewart Mesa, AZ 85201.