Ralph Arthur Crawford

Ralph A. Crawford, was born December 20, 1918 in Bonner Springs, Kansas. He was the son of Samuel S. and Rose E. (Kern) Crawford. Ralph lived twenty-three years in Bonner Springs, thirty-eight years in Ottawa, Kansas, moving to Stockton, Missouri in 1982 and later moving to Bentonville, AR where he made his home until his death Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at the age of eighty-nine years. He attended school in Bonner Springs, KS and graduated from Bonner Springs High School. Ralph served his country during World War II in the United States Army from November 25, 1942, until December 11, 1945, attaining the rank of Technician Third Class. After his time in the service, Ralph devoted the next 37 years to his career in the wholesale nursery business, a craft that he followed from both his father and grandfather, while working with his brother at the Willis Nursery Company, Inc. in Ottawa. On May 11, 1947, Ralph married Esther K. Breedlove in Kansas City, KS and they shared over 60 years of marriage together. Together, they retired in 1982 and moved from Ottawa to Stockton, MO where Ralph continued to enjoy gardening, traveling, fishing and spending the winter in Pharr, TX. He is survived by his wife Esther, of the home, daughter Laura Fogle, her husband Greg and their two sons Grant and Chase, all of Bella Vista, AR. He was preceded in death by two brothers Robert and Harold.Graveside memorial services will be held from Bonner Springs Cemetery, Bonner Springs, Kansas, 2:00 p.m., Saturday March 15, 2008. The family will meet with friends from 9:30 to 11:00, Saturday morning at the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa, KS.Memorials can be made to `Circle of Life` Hospice, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary 235 S. Hickory in Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.