Les was a Garwood High School graduate. He attended Southwest Texas State and later transferred and graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agriculture. He was a farmer and rancher. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army having honorably served for 36 years.

Les enjoyed his family, farming, ranching, hunting, wildlife and his service in the military.

He is survived by his wife, Paula Cranek of Edna, children Kelly Matula and husband Bryan of Needville, Kara Lockley of Wharton, Kristen Cranek of Wharton, Kyle Cranek and wife Evelyn of Columbus, Leslee Cranek of Fredericksburg, Karl Cranek and wife Jenni of Edna, John Spring & wife Lisa of Edna, sisters Florence Wesselski of Garwood, Peggy Lund of Garwood, Janeen Cranek of Altair, brothers Louis Cranek III of Nada, Roy Henry (Burr) Cranek of Eagle Lake, his precious grandchildren, Kyla Lockley, Mari Cardenas & husband Mason, Kylie Driskell & husband Bradley, Kody Matula & wife Katty, Kole Matula, Allie Cranek, Makenzie Patterson, Nathan Cranek & wife Alyssa, Brooklyn Cranek, August Cranek, & Derrick Elliott and wife Kamryn, great-grandchildren Adalyn Cranek, Elias Cardenas, & Cohen, Caleb, & Callen Elliott, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lester J. Cranek Sr. & Isabel Cranek, his daughter Jessica Spring, sister Pamela Hinze and brother Kenneth (Kentuck) Cranek.

The family will receive visitors at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday October 29, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nada, TX with a rosary beginning at 10:30 a.m. The funeral mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Father Edward Schoellmann officiating. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Kyle Cranek, Karl Cranek, John Spring, Kody Matula, Kole Matula, Nathan Cranek, Derrick Elliott and Jason Wesselski.

Honorary pallbearers are Kyla Lockley, Mari Cardenas, Kylie Driskel l, Makenzie Patterson, Brooklyn Cranek, Allie Cranek, August Cranek, James “Cotton” Cranek, Rudy Drlik, Erwin “Booger” Sladek, Jr., and Richard “Dick” Otis. Services entrusted to the Todish family of Slavik Funeral Home 209 N Allen Edna, TX 77957.