Paul Mellor Crandall

Paul Mellor Crandall of Springville, 85, passed away on Monday, October 5th at 8:39 pm surrounded by family and loved ones. Paul was born on July 31st, 1941 to Cleon Gregg Crandall and Lula Mary Mellor Crandall in Springville, Utah. He married the love of his life, Kathleen Lawana Pace “Kathy” on May 25th, 1963. The two spent 63 wonderful years together, welcoming four children along the way.

Of her husband, Kathy says: “he wasn’t afraid of anything. He was a good provider and loved his family dearly.” He was a passionate worksmith with great talent. He could build just about anything and loved working with his hands - a gift he passed onto his sons, Gregg and Shawn. He spent much of his adult life working with his late brother Leland at their company Crandall Excavating.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He loved to snowmobile, ride motorcycles, and water ski and enjoyed countless trips to Lake Powell with his family, where he could out-ski anyone. When he was younger, he enjoyed racing at the Bonneville Drag Strip and was the proud winner of many prizes and trophies there. He loved lemons, raw potatoes and a nice dinner out at Lacasita or Sizzler.

His surviving children, Shawn, Gregg, and Carie will all remember him fondly. From his habit of clearing everyone’s plates after dinner so no food would go to waste - to his infamous pointy cowboy boots that “didn’t feel too good when he used one to kick your butt” (an act well deserved by son Gregg), or the time he and Shawn rode the little badger four-wheeler up a sand dune, with Paul sitting on the back holding a beer in each hand and laughing the whole way. He thought it was so funny that they were actually making it up the dune on a kids’

four-wheeler. He was persistent, never shied away from a challenge and didn’t take life too seriously; Paul always found a way, just like he taught his children to.

One of Paul's favorite places was his beloved cabin, where so many family memories were made. When people said putting a hot tub in at the cabin wouldn't work, Paul proved them wrong, and that hot tub became a treasured part of many of his grandchildren's childhoods.

Paul was no stranger to loss, the greatest of which was his beloved infant daughter Kim. Her death changed him forever and underscored his deep love for family. The tragic loss of his brother Leland also affected Paul deeply. Through it all, he remained kind and gentle. He was kind in a classic sort of way, always offering a helping hand. He believed in people helping people and taught his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren this by example. His smile was packed with warmth and could make anyone giggle, along with his child-like sense of humor and joy. Even as he faced health issues and pain, Paul was kind and could often be found contently curled up on the couch watching his favorite westerns in peace.

Paul leaves behind a loving family who will carry his memory and legacy forward. He is survived by three of his children, Shawn Paul Crandall (Stacy Crandall), Gregg Harvey Crandall (Marcie Crandall), and Carie Lee Crandall; nine grandchildren, Karlee, Alex, Shaylin, Ian, Schyler, Austin, Madisen, Brinlee, and Arin; and nine great-grandchildren, Mavanie, Vivienne, Adalei, Myles, Oliver, Milo, Ada, Evy, and Mae. Each generation brought him great pride and joy, and his influence will live on in the family he loved so deeply.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kim Kathy Crandall; his parents, Cleon Gregg Crandall and Lula Mary Mellor Crandall; and his siblings, Leland Crandall, Ted Crandall, and Colleen Crandall Rigtrup.

A viewing will be held at Wheeler Mortuary on Friday, October 9th from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by a small graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery at 2:00 pm. 

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.