It is fair to say that the River Region may be experiencing one of its most positive and progressive eras to date. So much has happened in recent years to move our community forward, both economically and emotionally. It has taken the hard work, vision and faith of many people to make this happen.
One such couple has poured their heart and soul into helping write a new chapter in the River Region’s long and complicated history.
One such couple has poured their heart and soul into helping write a new chapter in the River Region’s long and complicated history.Julie and Lanny Crane are credited with many acts of humanitarianism and compassion. Between spearheading major outreach efforts that have changed the lives of many in need, to leading the way towards the redevelopment of the downtown area, to supporting and growing the arts in an economy that hungers for progression, Julie and Lanny have been fundamental to the growth of our region.
Both Cranes grew up in Montgomery but went to different schools before meeting at Sidney Lanier High School. They met in Latin class around 1954. While there is some debate as to whether it
was junior or senior year, both agree that Julie was much better in class than Lanny. In her words, he cut up too much. “I don’t know why I thought he was so cute,” she says with a grin.
The couple briefly parted ways when Julie went off to Randolph-Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia, and Lanny enrolled at Auburn University. When Julie transferred after two years to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia to finish her degree in Sociology, distance became less of an issue as they could now easily see each other on a regular basis.
In 1959, after both had completed their college degrees, Julie and Lanny wed at Queen of Mercy Catholic Church in Montgomery, Alabama.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity brother, Bolling Starke, Jr. was a member of the wedding party and recalls that Lanny was very difficult to say “no” to back in college, but that he is one of the finest people he’s ever known, “always taking less so that others could have more.”
Following their wedding, the Cranes spent a year in Tuscaloosa where Lanny completed graduate school and Julie worked in the Dean of Women’s office. “It was our big fling year before returning to Montgomery,” Julie recalls.
Returning to Montgomery meant Lanny taking his place in the family firm. As a third generation native of Montgomery, part of Lanny’s Southern roots began when his grandfather, H.C. Crane, began his practice in the Bell Building on Montgomery Street in 1919. He planted the seed for what would one day become known as the Jackson Thornton Certified Public Accounting Firm. When Julie and Lanny returned to Montgomery, remarkably, he took the first and only job of his life.
As the Cranes settled down to raise their family, which eventually grew to four sons and nine grandchildren, Lanny worked to build his career at Crane, Jackson and Thornton, and the couple became increasingly involved in the community. Julie joined the Junior League, which led to a position on the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Board and as a buyer for the Museum Gift Shop, a spot on the Montgomery Symphony Board, as well as many years on the Montgomery Chamber Music Organization Board.
As is the case for so many, the Cranes developed their philanthropic habits in a number of ways. Both grew up watching their parents fulfill their civic duties.
Julie’s father was Chamber of Commerce president one year, and her mother served as president of the Junior League and rolled bandages for the Red Cross. “I don’t know that a lot of thought went into it,” Lanny remarks, referring to why they chose to apply their support in certain ways.
In 1975, Lanny served as Campaign Chair for what was then known as the Montgomery Area United Appeal, raising $1,425,695 that year. “I don’t really remember how I got started in United Way,” he recalls. “I remember it was somewhere in the 60’s. I was just a foot soldier in Group 4, which was the professional division of the appeal. No one noticed me and I was kind of glad not to be noticed. And then one day Bo Starke walked into my office somewhere in the ‘74 or ‘75 time frame and said ‘you’re going to be United Way Campaign Chairman next year’ and I said ‘I am?’”
Julie and Lanny both laugh at that memory as Julie also recalls the time when Joan Loeb asked her to serve on the Chamber Music Board. “The very next day, the membership person came and dropped all of her books at my house, said that she was retiring and that it was my job now. We were told what to do,” Julie says. “We didn’t know we could say no, I guess.”
Even though the Cranes have much to be proud of, both privately and professionally, they are deeply humble people about whom others cannot find enough nice things to say.
Often, their work is very quiet and behind the scenes, such as the 40 years Lanny worked with Dick Hodges on the Catholic Charities Drive and Julie’s countless hours managing the Chamber Music season.
Perhaps their finest achievement is their family. When it comes to family, the couple have found some unique ways to spend time with their nine grandchildren, including taking them on trips to New York City and hosting summer camps for them at Lake Martin, complete with camp registration packets and t-shirts.
Despite the more than healthy dose of humility when talking about their contributions to our community, it’s clear that Julie and Lanny Crane’s efforts are impossible to ignore. Together, they have been instrumental in growing the arts in the River Region, the revitalizing downtown Montgomery, forming the Central Alabama Community Foundation and creating Leadership Montgomery.
For their unwavering generosity, grace and spirit, we are pleased to recognize Julie and Lanny Crane with the 2018 Tocqueville Society Award of the River Region United Way.
