Dennis W. Cranford Jr.

Dennis W. Cranford Jr., 56, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Friday, November 22, 2024, at Sanford Medical Center, Aberdeen, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Dennis’ wishes were to be buried at the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD. No formal services will be held at this time.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Dennis Wesley Cranford Jr. was born on September 4, 1968, to Dennis and Beatrice (Bishop) Cranford in Los Angeles, California. He was a shy kid growing up and didn't have a big crowd of friends around him. Growing up in L.A., Dennis spent most of his days surfing at the beach, riding his bike, and finding things to do on his own. He was a very smart kid, at one point, he even built his own computer.

Dennis met his former wife in California, Heather Jacobs, with whom he had two sons and one daughter: James, Thomas, and Halley. Ultimately deciding that California was no place to raise children, they decided to move to South Dakota right when Halley was born. When they got to South Dakota, Dennis decided he wanted to enroll in the National Guard, so he did.

Dennis's pride and joy was serving the United States Military. He was stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. While he was deployed, he wrote in a journal every day. In one of his entries, he states, "I owe my life to the Army, it saved me."

He entered the South Dakota National Guard on December 18, 2003. Dennis served in the United States Army until he was honorably discharged in 2005. Once back, he struggled with multiple disabilities and PTSD from serving. Despite these challenges, he never gave up and worked every day. He tried his best to keep a smile on his face and to make others laugh.

Dennis was a jack of all trades and did a little bit of everything, and he worked as a property manager for some time.

Dennis is survived by his children: James, Thomas, and Halley; father, Dennis Cranford Sr.; and sister, Debbie Bloemhof.

Dennis will be joining his mother Beatrice Bishop, in Heaven.