Thomas W. Crannell was a prep football phenom, foundry worker, chauffeur to an American general, and a rodeo star. Of his many talents, though, something else stood out, relatives and friends say. "He was just a good person," said Crannell's brother, Gregory. "I was the youngest, but he was always there for me." Crannell died Monday from complications with multiple sclerosis. He was 51. The Saginaw native attended Arthur Hill High School, where he played on both sides of the ball as a fullback and defensive back on the gridiron. "In those days, you did it all," Gregory Crannell said. His brother received a full scholarship to play football at Northern Michigan University, but left a year later to register for the draft. He served in the Vietnam War, and at one point was a chauffeur for Gen. William C. Westmoreland. "Tom never talked about his time in Vietnam much," Gregory Crannell said. "He was pretty quiet about it." Following the war, Crannell worked a stint at the Saginaw Grey Iron plant, and on the railroad. He also roped calves in Michigan rodeos, and many viewed him as the best on this side of the state, Gregory Crannell said. Tales of his physical strength mirrored those of Paul Bunyan. "It was really a sight to see him (working on the railroad)," his brother said. The last seven years of Crannell's life, though, were spent at Hoyt Nursing Home, where nurse Mary C. Keane developed a unique friendship with him. She said that although multiple sclerosis weakened him, he kept his sense of humor. "He had a signature laugh," said Keane, director of nursing at Hoyt. "He liked '50s and '60s music, and I'd take him to concerts." Besides his brother, Gregory, Crannell leaves two children, John and Anne of Colorado; his mother, Eleanore; two sisters, Barbara Ann McHugh of Grand Rapids and Patricia Ann of Saginaw; and another brother, Richard H., also of Saginaw. The funeral takes place at 11 a.m. Friday at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 4735 W. Michigan. Also, V.F.W. Post 1566 members will conduct a military service. Friends may call at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. A prayer service is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Deisler.