Even in grief, Christmas about family
JERRY AULDS

Generally, Christmas stories celebrate birth rather than the end of life.

Fred Crane's story is different. It is about death, but is nevertheless a Christmas story, a celebratory testament to Fred's life, rendered by those with whom he worked and worshipped.

My first contact with Fred occurred when this big, tall balding man ambled into Wednesday evening choir practice at First Baptist Church three years ago, introduced himself and announced he wanted to join the choir.

Announced might be too strong a word for that quiet, self-effacing man, but in our short-of-men choir, an over-6- foot male tenor was literally a godsend!

Fred fit right in, faithfully attending every practice and rehearsal, always quiet except when he broke into short delighted snorts and yelps in response to a one-liner delivered by one of our more boisterous choir members.

Gradually the choir and the church became Fred's family. Over time we learned Fred was single, lived alone and had work most of his adult life - 39 years - as a highly valued manager for Wilson, a nationwide oil field servicing company. The people at Wilson were also Fred's family.

A week ago Monday, the families stepped up for Fred.

It began with a phone call.

"Fred's in the hospital, facing a serious operation. Would you please go by and visit and keep him in your prayers?" asked church secretary Donna Foshee.

Donna Foster, the operations clerk, made the calls for Wilson.

During my visit Fred faced the looming surgery with quiet, hopeful courage.

"I'm at peace about this," he assured me. To choir member Joe Tom Davis, Fred said he knew he would have to miss the practice sessions for our Christmas Cantata, but he expected to "robe up" for the Sunday morning performance.

The news following surgery was shattering. Pancreatic cancer.

Fred accepted the news with the same show of faith and courage, and the same peace.

He died just after 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16.

Fellow tenor Bobby Brady was there with Fred. "I played the tape of our cantata for him twice," he said.

Wilson El Campo branch manager Robert Prochaska and his wife came immediately and met with First Baptist pastor Rick DuBroc.

On Sunday morning, Dec. 18, the First Baptist Church choir gave their Christmas performance. Fred was "robed up" with his robe draped in his chair in the tenor section.

Wednesday morning, Dec. 21, Fred Crane was laid to rest. The Wilson company flew Fred's son to the funeral. Wilson people filled the church.

"All those young men he trained wanted to be here," said Donna.

Bobby Brady sang for his friend. Families take care of their own.

And that's a Christmas story.

This classic Jerry Aulds column first appeared in the Dec. 24, 2005 edition of the El Campo Leader-News.