David R. Crandall

David Ralph Crandall, 84, was born in Norwich, NY on January 4, 1942 to parents James John Crandall and Lillian Ruth Crandall as one of four siblings with Ada Symonds, Asa Crandall, and Charles Crandall. He passed away surrounded by loving family in Hudson, FL on March 4, 2026.David is survived by his wife, Diana Lynne Crandall; four grown children: Rev. David (Traci) Crandall, Lisa (Dan) Major, Amy (Todd) Zimmerman, Stefanie (Brian) Cannon; ten grandchildren: Denton (Theresa) Major, Kiley (Dalton) Peeler, Trent Major, Tyler (Anndrea) Zimmerman, Spencer Zimmerman, Carter Zimmerman, Kaitlyn (Ethan) Shaw, Georgia Crandall, and Ezra Cannon; and two great-grandchildren: Declan Peeler and Sylvia Major. David and Diana were married on August 28, 1965 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year.

 He received his doctorate from Baptist Bible College and Seminary in Pennsylvania. Dr. Crandall spent decades faithfully serving Christ in pastoral ministry, global missions, and evangelism. He pastored churches in New York and Indiana for 30 years before leading Gospel Literature Services as international director, helping publish and distribute Christian literature in 117 languages across 138 countries. His passion for the gospel took him around the world. He led 23 tours to Israel and the Middle East and helped mobilize nearly 2,000 believers for evangelism at the Olympic Games, where more than 1,500 people made professions of faith. Millions of gospel booklets he authored were distributed in more than 25 languages. Later, as international director at Answers in Genesis, he founded AiG WorldWide Ministries and helped expand the translation of apologetics resources into 176 languages. Alongside his wife, Diana, he also helped train nearly 100 international leaders to establish creation ministries in their home countries. Dr. Crandall served ABWE faithfully for many years, beginning on the Advisory Council in 1974. He joined the board in 1994 and continued as board member emeritus after 2017. Across those decades he offered wise counsel, deep encouragement, and a clear love for missionaries and the gospel.

Dr. Crandall joined the staff at First Baptist New Port Richey as Minister to Senior Adults in 2019, maintaining his “snowbird” status of teaching in Florida from October to April, then returning to his home in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania for the summer. Affectionally known as “Doc” to his First Baptist family, he led groups to the Holy Land, Greece and Italy, Pennsylvania, and numerous local Florida attractions. He will be remembered for his infectious enthusiasm, often punctuated by a joyous “praisellujah!” His answer to, “how are you?” was always, “praising the Lord!” How wonderful to know he is now living that out in eternity! Doc was truly a man of God and a friend to all. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him