Archie Edward Crandall

Archie Edward Crandall was born in Artesian South Dakota, where he helped farm the family farm. He met Alice Marie Dahl in Carthage S.D. They were married on his 21st birthday, October 20, 1945.

His great grandfather homestead a plat of land. He granted the north east corner for the school which taught grades one through eight. There were eight boys in the family, Glen, Chester, Raymond, Eugene, Wayne, Archie and Harold. John had died in infancy. They all attended the school along with the neighborhood children. His grandfather came to tell the school kids about coming in covered wagon. The church was held in the school building. When he was old enough he was helping take the offering for church.

The closest town was Carthage. He had a 1930s car and often drove to town where he met Alice Marie Dahl. They were married on his 21st birthday in 1945. They lived on the family farm. The family grew by adding four kids, Judy, Gary, Joyce and Greg.

They moved to Nampa in 1952. He worked on the railroad for a short time before studying office machine repair. He was office manager and service technician for Kalbus Office Supply for 47 years. After the store closed he ran the shop from home. He was known around the country as a leading expert in vintage typewriter repair as well as time clocks and other office machines. He kept the school district thermafax and duplicator machines in good shape.

He developed his hobby of photography traveling from Yellowstone and Teton parks to Hawaii. Archie and Alice were in a camera club where he won several awards for his pictures.

He never stopped being a farmer. When the kids were young he had cows to milk and grew hay for them. Later they moved to an acreage on Holly street where he had a pony or two. He loved giving all the kids rides in the pony cart. Several years they rode in the Snake River Stampede parade. Joyce's daughter, Meagan, was rodeos queen even becoming Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho.

Despite his short stature, Archie Crandall was a true giant of a man. Strength, integrity, and devotion were his personal hallmarks. His incredible work ethic was balanced by his capacity to make even the most mundane chores seem magical fun for his "helpers" - his adoring children and, later, his grandchildren. In these daily moments he became their hero. His generosity to others was unmatched. Archie came to know the Lord at an early age, and his faith never wavered. His example of a godly life continues to inspire his family.

He is survived by his faithful wife of 73 years, Alice, and his four children Judy (Larry) Kelley of Meridian, Gary (Donna) Crandall of Arizona, Joyce Jones of Virginia, Greg (Chandrina) Crandall of Nampa. He is the grandfather of seven loving grandchildren; Aline (Mike) Stelzner of Port Townsend Washington. Robert (Kami) Kelley of Meridian. Kristin Priscilla (Chad) Fulkerson of Virginia. Matt (Erin) Jones of Boise. Meagan Jones of Boise. Chanda and Alexa Crandall of Nampa. He also has three great- grandchildren; Reagan Kelley, Jackson Jones and Cora Jones.

The service will be Wednesday September 5 at 2:00 pm at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene. In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association.

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