John Crawford Jr.

John Crawford, Jr., 91, of Cape Girardeau, MO, formerly of Delta, MO, passed away Friday, August 28, 2015 at the Chateau Girardeau. He was born January 5, 1924 in Delta, MO, the son of John Brewster Crawford and Bertha Smith Crawford. He and Mary Louise Hector, high school sweethearts, were married November 14, 1942 in Jackson, Missouri. They lived and farmed in the Delta area until moving to Cape Girardeau, MO in 1992. John was a member of Lynwood Baptist church since 1992 where he was a member of the men's Sunday School Class and served on the building committee of the present church building. He was a former member of the Delta Baptist Church where he served for many years as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and many other church leadership roles. He and Louise often housed the many revivalists who came to hold revivals there. They also served on mission trips to other states as church planters. He was an avid reader of Bible Study Literature and often led Bible study classes. John farmed successfully from an early age both in the Randles/Arbor and Delta areas. He also became a dairyman for many years while growing field crops. John graduated from Delta High School in 1941 where he was a scholar athlete. He was an example of how we should live our lives. Many would say he left a legacy of faith leading by example. He was rock solid in his faith with a servant-hearted life well lived. He is survived by two daughters; Judy (Douglas) White of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Karen Kight of Jackson, Missouri; special nephews, Doug (Tammy) Simminger of Gordonville, Missouri, John (Nancy) Simminger of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; sister, Pauline Dalton of Ironton, Missouri; sister-in-law, Suda Crawford of Evansville, Indiana; many nieces and nephews; grandchildren, Randy (Angela) White of Dallas, Texas, Lisa (Greg) Bayless of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lorrie (Evan) Falat of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Quinn Kight of Orange Beach, Alabama; great-grandchildren, Lydia White Dubose, Zeb White, Emily White, Kathryn White, Braden Bayless, Benjamin Bayless, Beth Ellen Bayless, Bo Bayless, Addy Falat, Whitley Falat, Paxton Falat and Preston Kight. John was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 66 years, Mary Louise who passed away in 2009; two brothers, Bob and Billy Crawford; son-in-law, Danny Kight. Friends may call from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 4, 2015 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Graveside service will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association Peaceful Valley Camp, 22199 Peaceful Valley Drive, Saint Mary, MO 63673.

Tributes

John Crawford Jr.

January 5, 1924 - August 28, 2015