James S. Cranford

Exeter – James "Jim" S. Cranford, MD, 84, passed away peacefully on September, 17, 2022. Born in Washington DC, Jim was the son of Lt. Col. James Reed and Willie Kathryn (Snead) Cranford. During his childhood years, he and his family lived at several US Army bases throughout the world including Greece and Germany. Jim followed in his father's footsteps and attended the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA Class of 1961 where he excelled academically and was a member of the wrestling team. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA and went on to serve as an officer in the US Army. He was stationed in Korea where he served as the Commanding Officer (Major) of the 43rd Surgical Hospital. Jim raised his family in Holden, MA with his wife Carol (Baker) Cranford, whom he courted and fell in love with during his college years at VMI. He began his medical practice in Worcester, MA as a general surgeon founding Worcester County Surgical Associates, P.C. and was affiliated with Holden, Hahnemann and Fairlawn Hospitals. In addition, he was a clinical instructor with UMass Medical School. He worked tirelessly to provide exceptional surgical care to countless patients, and was well respected by his fellow physicians and hospital staff for his knowledge, surgical skills and compassion. Jim's retirement years were spent in East Orleans, MA and Vero Beach, FL. He was an avid reader, and enjoyed golfing, tennis, fishing, Wednesday night beach socials, rambles with his Porsche club, boating, and above all, spending time with his family. Jim is survived by his wife, Carol, three sons, J. Mark Cranford and his wife Beth of Hampton, NH, David Cranford and his wife Susan of Princeton, MA, Brian Cranford of Breckenridge, CO, four grandchildren, Ben, Sam, Abbey and Sophia, his brother W. Mac Cranford and his wife Becky of Palm Desert, CA, sister-in-law Barbara Cranford of Bryn Mawr, PA, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother John Cranford. After cremation a private burial will be in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, in Bourne, MA. In lieu of traditional remembrances, memorial donations may be made by clicking here to the Parkinsons Foundation 200 SE 1st Street, Ste 800, Miami, FL, 33131. Assistance with the arrangements was by the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, Hampton.

James S. Cranford

August 22, 1938 - September 17, 2022