Harvey Leroy Crandall, a long-time resident of Strasburg, CO, passed away on July 21, 2022 in Cheyenne, WY at the age of 90.
Harvey was born in Fort Morgan, CO on September 4, 1931, the third of seven children. He quit school after the 9th grade to work on the family farm in Hoyt, CO. Harvey was drafted to the Army on February 1, 1952 and served in the Korean War as a heavy artillery specialist. He was released from active-duty service in 1954 and served his remaining term in the Army Reserves.
When asked what Harvey did for a living, the answer was always “everything”. He knew how to do most anything, and if he didn’t know, he would improvise and find a way. Harvey moved houses; he farmed; he raised cattle; he worked heavy equipment; he built roads and highways including portions of I-70, I-25, I-80, and Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park; he sold cars, he built houses; he did excavation; he was a mechanic; and he sold LOTS and LOTS of parts. If you didn’t want advice, you shouldn’t ask because Harvey was always full of “advice”.
Harvey married the love of his life, Sandra “Eileen” Becker on July 28, 1961. Together they raised 3 daughters Cheryl, Carol, and Connie. Harvey and Eileen sold the Crandall farm in Hoyt, CO in 1972 and moved the family to Strasburg, CO. Harvey and Eileen built and opened Crandall Auto Parts and the Strasburg Self Serv gas station in 1976. They later expanded the business to include the car wash and Harv’s Repair. Harvey retired in 1995.
Harvey loved to travel with Eileen in the motorhome and go fishing with the boat. He also enjoyed taking quick trips with Eileen in his airplane, especially for a fly in breakfast. He enjoyed going to Lake Havasu City, AZ in the winters after his retirement.
Harvey is survived by his daughters Cheryl (Ed) Humbert, Strasburg, CO; Carol (Rick) Rohn, Wiggins, CO; and Connie Crandall (Don Timm), Cheyenne, WY; his brother Harley Crandall (Doris Fox), Leander, TX; and sisters Dorothy (Richard) Loring, Tyringham, MA and Gladys Chantker, Longmont, CO; 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
Harvey was preceded in death by his wife Sandra “Eileen” Crandall, brother Howard Crandall, and two sisters Florence Greenwalt and Charlotte Skaggs.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at the Bennett VFW Hall, Bennett, CO on Friday, July 29, 2022 at 11:00 am.