Paul Crandell

Paul H Crandell age 87 of Coffeyville passed away at his home with his beloved wife at his side on June 13, 2020.

He was born in Coffeyville on January 7, 1933 to Harry M. and Pearl (Thompson) Crandell. He was the youngest of 8 children. Paul never had the chance to know his dad as he had passed before Paul had turned two. Pearl married John Battaglear and the family grew tremendously, no longer was Paul one of eight he became one of 21. He became especially close to Frank and James Battaglear, he credits Frank for getting him interested in sports during school. Paul as an athlete at Field Kindley Memorial High School was all-league and captain of the basketball team. He was all-league and all-state in football, and lettered in track two years. He was voted outstanding athlete at Coffeyville his junior and senior years. After graduating high school he attended Coffeyville Junior College, lettering two years in football, basketball, and track. He was captain of the football team, and was all-state two years in track. He was voted outstanding athlete in both his freshman and sophomore years at Coffeyville Juco. After junior college, he attended Kansas State University, starting for the Wildcat Football Team in 1953. After one season, Paul was drafted during the Korean War. Paul married Irene DeTar December 11, 1953, just three days before leaving for the Army. After serving time in Korea, he decided to finish college at Pittsburg State Teachers College. He played for the 1957 National Champion Gorilla Football Team, scoring two touchdowns in the Holiday Bowl in St. Petersburg, Florida. This is where the top half of his ear was cut off, on the football field when his helmet cracked, the doctor sewed the ear at halftime; Paul went back into the game and caught his second touchdown.

Paul came back to Coffeyville where he began teaching and coaching for USD 445. He had been asked by his former coach Cliff Long who was the principle of Roosevelt Jr. High. Paul had a contract before his graduation earning his BS Degree. He oversaw starting a football program, that had been dropped during the War, and also was basketball and track coach, He taught classes in math, science, and social science, to 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. After three years he took the opportunity to move up to Field Kindley Memorial High School. He remained there for 32 years. He was head coach of boy’s track, girl’s track, boy’s cross country, boy’s swimming, and girls’ basketball. He also was an assistant coach of football and boys’ basketball. He organized and directed an intramural program at the high school. He also organized and directed the Fellowship of Christian Athletes before devoting time to working on his master’s degree in secondary education which he earned in 1980.  Paul taught summer driver’s education and was head fo the physical education department for more than 20 years. He also wrote the revision of the “Purpose” of the high school in the 87-88 year.

He coached 35 league; 22 regional; and 8 state individual champions, as well as two honorable-mention all-state girls’ basketball players. He coached teams to 8 league championships, 4 regional championships and two state championships, the boy’s track team won state championship in 1980. The girl’s track team won state championship in 1987. In 1987 Paul was voted Kansas Coach of the Year. Paul retired in 1993 after 35 years of teaching and coaching. On October 1, 2004 Paul was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Coffeyville Community College. On October 9, 2009 he was inducted into the first Field Kindley Memorial High School Hall of Fame. Paul was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Paul’s memories live on with his wife of 66 years Irene, his children; Janet Casazza her husband Peter of Columbia, MO, Kathy Thompson of Independence, KS, Roger Crandell of Springfield, MO, and Kenny Crandell his wife Lorie of Kansas City, MO, grandchildren, Mike Owens his wife Sara and Arthur Thompson, great-grandsons; Ethan Owens, Jesse Owens, and Kobe Thompson.

He now rests with his parents and all of his siblings.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 10:00am at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Nicole Schwartz-Eck officiating. Friends may greet the family an hour prior to service time. Inurnment will immediately follow at Robbins Cemetery. Attendees will be asked to practice social distancing and masks will be required. Those not able to attend can join a live streaming on the Ford Wulf Bruns Chapel Facebook page at 10:00am. The family suggests memorials be made payable to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or UMCOR and they may be sent in care of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel 2405 Woodland Ave. Coffeyville, KS 67337. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com