Timothy Bruce Crane

Timothy Bruce Crane passed away in Vancouver, Washington on March 6th, 2023, at the age of 62. After being born in Washington, Tim spent his youth and young adulthood in Sonora, California, before returning to the Pacific Northwest in 1989. Tim was employed for many years with the Simpson Timber Company, though he was best known in the area as the artist behind The Optimist, which he installed without permission, as a "random act of goofiness." Passersby of his Bellevue Avenue home would frequently slow down to admire his latest works, which ranged from a twelve-foot dragon to a whimsical spaceship.

In addition to his artistic contributions, Tim was an advocate for the revitalization of Shelton, serving on both the Kneeland Park Playground project, as well as the Shelton Clock Tower project. He was a loving parent, a proud grandfather, and a friend to just about all those he came into contact with.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gene Crane, his mother, Joanne Crane, his brother, Terry Crane, his nephew, Nicholas Crane, and his niece, Megan Crane. He is survived by his former wife Catherine Tageson, his children Cayce Crane (wife Lauren Crane) and Chelsea Woodham (husband James Woodham, III), and his grandchildren Samuel, Solange, Winifred, and James IV. He's also survived by his sisters Laurie, Melissa, and Chery, his brother Pat, and his many nieces and nephews.