John Michael Crawford, Sr.

John Michael Crawford, Sr. was born on Sunday, July 24, 1949, in Lawrence, Kansas. He was the second born of three sons of Thomas Charles and Lorraine Margaret (Hoffman) Crawford. In 2002, he moved from Olathe, Kansas to Quenemo, Kansas, where he made his home until his death on Thursday, July 9, 2009, at the age of fifty-nine years. John graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School with the class of 1967. He also attended Wichita State University. John served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970, serving in Vietnam. On June 18, 1971, John was united in marriage with Starr Poe in Kansas City, Missouri. She survives of their home. John adored his wife. In all their years of marriage, they were never apart from each other more than a week. Following his marriage, John was employed as an excavator for John Poe & Sons Excavating for five years. He was excellent in his work. He was easy to work with and his work was quality. He advanced his career by taking a supervisory position with the City of Olathe, where he was employed for twenty-six years, retiring in 2006. John loved his kids no matter what, always wanting the best for them and working long hours to try and provide a good life for them. He was known as a quiet, soft-spoken and fair man who appreciated his friends and was always near to lend a helping hand. He is survived by his two sons, John Michael Crawford, Jr. and his wife, Christy, of Gardner, KS, Marcus Bryant Crawford and his wife, Angela, of Olathe, KS; one daughter, Amy Starr Crawford and her fiancé, Randall, of Quenemo, KS; two brothers, David Crawford of Shawnee, KS, Bruce Crawford of Overland Park, KS; and eight grandchildren, Shelby, Trevor, Gracey, Bubba, Maranda, Maggie, Marcus Jr., and little John Michael. There was no doubt that John cherished and treasured his grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2009. Family will meet with friends at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday prior to the services. CEMETERY: Pleasant View Cemetery east of Melvern. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to John M. Crawford, Sr. Memorial Fund, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.