History of Reading News. Vol.XIX No.1 (1995:Fall)

Sharon Cranney Fletcher (Garr's oldest daughter). I've wondered for sometime how I could write a lifetime of thoughts and feelings about Dad in one short paragraph. But as I've thought about it--it all boils down to one simple sentence: he loved us and we loved him.

Dad showed his love to us in many ways: attending sports events, helping with homework, taking us on beautiful scenic drives and the way he loved and cherished mom. We also recall his impromptu, hysterical stories about a baboon named Ben--they made long car trips bearable. He was a special grandfather too--loving his grandchildren as much as he loved and supported us.

Finally, it's hard to talk about Dad and the ways he loved us without saying he was truly a man of God. He not only taught but lived the principles of a just and moral life. This has empowered us, his children, to try to do the same and reap the happy rewards of such a life. In seeing the ways Dad loved us, it's easy to see why we loved him. In this is our peace and our joy to live on.

Carla Kupitz (Graduate student and friend). In 1993, in partial fulfillment of the graduate hours needed to recertify, I enrolled in Elementary and Secondary Education 660--Historical Foundations of Reading. The instructor, Garr Cranney, was no stranger to me, for we had worked together in a church assignment five years ago. Knowing him in an ecclesiastical setting, I was curious in his philosophy as an academic professor.

The class consisted of no more than fifteen students, most of whom were working on an advanced degree in education. Brother Cranney began the class with prayer and allowed time for brief introductions. He then proceeded to give us an overview of the class and the history behind his involvement and interest in recommending that this important course of study be part of the education curriculum.

Throughout the semester, Brother Cranney displayed his love for the subject material and his belief that God had prepared select people throughout history to bring about the important advent of reading. He used scriptural references to support his premise and talked extensively of great men and women in history who had been instrumental in this movement. His paper "Why Study the History of Reading?" which appeared in the History of Reading News, spring 1989, is a classic and an insight into his love of the history of reading.

His love for the subject was not all; he genuinely cared for all the students and their particular concerns, needs, and questions. At the time, I was in the midst of planning the statewide annual library conference. His class was an evening class and after eight hours of work, plus the stress of the conference planning, I was usually less then perky. I remember that he pulled me aside after class one evening and asked how I was doing because I looked so exhausted. He had a genuine concern that his students comprehend and understand his lectures and discussions, but more importantly that they internalize the importance of reading and the self esteem and enjoyment it was intended to provide.

The appreciation of the history of reading I gained in class has spilled over into my life as a librarian in the university library. I love the texts of the old readers we discussed and handled in class. In an age where new books and technology are paramount, I find that I have become an advocate for the balance the collecting of historical readers brings to the reading curriculum. It is this love of the history of reading that I gained in Brother Cranney's class that has prompted me to purchase (from a second-hand bookstore) my own copies of readers from my past, particularly the Dick, Jane, and Sally books.

Brother Cranney opened up his life and his beliefs to his students in a meaningful way. He was a great teacher, mentor and friend. His humor laced the lectures and made them enjoyable, He demonstrated his respect for the opinions of the students and was a great resource as each student was asked to prepare a discussion topic as our final project. The tender moments often experienced during these oral presentations reflect the genuine love that we had all developed for those individuals throughout history who have provided us with the tools to understand the written word.

Richard Robinson (University of Iowa). Garr Cran- ney was a good friend. I have known him since the early 1970s, primarily through our association with the National Reading Conference. While I knew and respected Garr as an esteemed colleague, I will remember him particularly as a warm outgoing individual. This spirit of friendship was particularly noticeable during meetings and discussions of the History of Reading Special Interest Group. For him, the history of literacy was not only a professional research interest, but also a personal adventure as well. You could see this interest in his smile and the fun he had in interacting with others about their own individual projects and reports. Always positive and supportive were the trademarks of A. Garr Cranney. He was not only a gentleman but also a gentle man.

Miriam Balmuth (Hunter College of The City University of New York). It is with warmest appreciation and affection that I write of Garr Cranney, a colleague, scholar, and superb contributor to the history of reading--not only to the IRA Special Interest Group, but to the field nationwide.

Already well-recognized for his concern with adult literacy, Garr began to attend the SIG meetings in 1981. From the first, and then for all subsequent years, Garr offered us an unsurpassed measure of selfless dedication and generosity, serving as committee member, officer, and president. Moreover, it was not only the SIG itself that benefited from Garr's devotion--he never gave up on efforts to spread information and scholarship about the history of reading in graduate schools throughout the country.

Garr's dedication to the history of reading was rooted in what he, in his breadth of vision, perceived it to be: the bedrock of reading education and, hence, the basis of all scholarship and learning. Garr truly cared, and it was always the higher purpose that inspired his wise, patient, and careful participation in so many of the group's programs and projects.

That Garr was a magnificent professional is beyond question, but he was also, uniquely, a truly good and loving person, and it is for that, above all, that his loss is so grievously felt.

Janet A. Miller (Northern Kentucky University). I remember Garr so well not only as a dedicated supporter of the History of Reading Special Interest Group, but as a believer in the importance of historical knowledge. I was always impressed by his curiosity about many issues related to literacy and his ability to see potential for investigations which were unique and significant. I had the pleasure of working with him on an article for the Journal of Reading which was published in 1987. His knowledge of sources for historical research was incredible.

Garr certainly made a number of important contributions to the body of knowledge on the history of literacy and he provided great support and service to the History of Reading SIG over the years.

Peter Fisher (National-Louis University). Often or-ganizations such as ours depend on a few key people to keep them going, and to attract new members to the group. Garr Cranney was one of the key people in our SIG. He worked hard to promote the group, and also the history of reading as a scholarly field. As a new professor and neophyte member of the group, many years ago, I remember wondering how anyone could be so enthusiastic about such a "dry" subject. Now I understand, and my own growing enthusiasm and scholarship is due, in part, to the way in which Garr worked to cement the organization and maintain a flow of ideas. He served on the board for many years, including a term as President, and was always suggesting ways for us to expand and invite other scholars to explore the history of literacy. Garr was a scholar, and a gentleman, and a wonderful colleague in the organization. We will all miss him very much.

Luther B. Clegg (Texas Christian University). Garr was more than my friend; he was my mentor, helping me in several areas related to our organization. Garr was president of the SIG the two years I was program chair. Numerous telephone calls from Fort Worth to Provo brought me direction and good advice. Garr seemed to know everything I needed to know about the operations of the SIG. Then, the two years I was president following Garr's tenure, the telephone lines continued to stay busy. Garr never failed to have the time for my questions, no matter how unimportant they may have seemed. In my job as co-editor of the News, Garr continued by volunteering with numerous chores. Over and over again, if I didn't know that to do, I'd call Garr. It's as simple as this: I couldn't have done it without Garr! He was a great man, and I'll miss him terribly!