Franklin Delano Crawford
of Kerrville, TX
September 30, 1936 - January 28, 2025
- Obituary
- Guestbook
Franklin Delano Crawford Sr., 88, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025, in Kerrville, TX.
Frank Sr. was born on September 30, 1936, in Santa Monica, California to Thomas and Ruth (LaRange) Crawford. He was raised in Culver City, California. Soon after graduating from Culver City High School, he joined the United States Navy. He honorably served four years in reserves and four years active duty onboard the U.S.S Tarawa and the U.S.S Independence serving as a machinist mate from 1954-1962. He met and married the love of his life, Dotia Ellen Sexton, in 1958. Together they raised their three loving children, Kelley, Frank Jr., and Deborah. Frank was a devoted and affectionate husband and father. His family was his top priority, and he cared endlessly for each of them. He spent 18 years with Hughes Aircraft reaching Master Machinist before relocating to Roswell, New Mexico in 1972. While in Roswell, he owned/operated a Conoco Gas Station, worked as Field Superintendent for Stevens Oil Company, and lastly retiring as a machinist from Longhorn Fireworks Manufacturing. Frank's favorite past time was drag racing, spanning over 6 decades of his life. He started racing in the 1950's in Southern California and carried on the sport in Roswell racing in his 1964 ½ Mustang. Frank instilled the love for the sport through four generations of Crawford's searching for the highly coveted win light. He also enjoyed fishing, working in the yard and playing slot machines. Frank moved to Kerrville, TX in 2019 after the passing of his loving wife, Dotia, of 60 years. He spent the last years of his life alongside his son, Frank Jr., Misty, and Ginger, his loyal cat. He loved spending as much time as he could with those who called him Grandpa, his seven grandkids and eight great-grandkids, whom he loved dearly.
He is reunited in Heaven with his parents, Thomas and Ruth; wife, Dotia; daughter, Debbie; and brothers, Bud and Kenneth Crawford.
Those left behind to cherish his memory are daughter, Kelley Crawford and Steve of Rio Rancho, NM; son, Frank Crawford Jr. and Misty of Kerrville, TX; sister, Mickey Crawford and Craig of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother, Tony Crawford of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandchildren, Joey Yates and Jenny, Tyler Crawford, Josh Yates, Tanner Crawford and Tillie, Jason Grear, Andrew Crawford and Charlotte, and Ethan White-Crawford; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks the Tierra Linda VFD, the staff of the Hilltop Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Peterson Hospice Care for their compassionate care and support during Frank's final days. Their kindness and professionalism brought comfort to both Frank and our family.
Graveside services will be held in Roswell, New Mexico at the General Douglas L. McBride Veteran Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Frank's memory to https://www.redcross.org/donate/help-military-families.html/.
Frank Sr. was born on September 30, 1936, in Santa Monica, California to Thomas and Ruth (LaRange) Crawford. He was raised in Culver City, California. Soon after graduating from Culver City High School, he joined the United States Navy. He honorably served four years in reserves and four years active duty onboard the U.S.S Tarawa and the U.S.S Independence serving as a machinist mate from 1954-1962. He met and married the love of his life, Dotia Ellen Sexton, in 1958. Together they raised their three loving children, Kelley, Frank Jr., and Deborah. Frank was a devoted and affectionate husband and father. His family was his top priority, and he cared endlessly for each of them. He spent 18 years with Hughes Aircraft reaching Master Machinist before relocating to Roswell, New Mexico in 1972. While in Roswell, he owned/operated a Conoco Gas Station, worked as Field Superintendent for Stevens Oil Company, and lastly retiring as a machinist from Longhorn Fireworks Manufacturing. Frank's favorite past time was drag racing, spanning over 6 decades of his life. He started racing in the 1950's in Southern California and carried on the sport in Roswell racing in his 1964 ½ Mustang. Frank instilled the love for the sport through four generations of Crawford's searching for the highly coveted win light. He also enjoyed fishing, working in the yard and playing slot machines. Frank moved to Kerrville, TX in 2019 after the passing of his loving wife, Dotia, of 60 years. He spent the last years of his life alongside his son, Frank Jr., Misty, and Ginger, his loyal cat. He loved spending as much time as he could with those who called him Grandpa, his seven grandkids and eight great-grandkids, whom he loved dearly.
He is reunited in Heaven with his parents, Thomas and Ruth; wife, Dotia; daughter, Debbie; and brothers, Bud and Kenneth Crawford.
Those left behind to cherish his memory are daughter, Kelley Crawford and Steve of Rio Rancho, NM; son, Frank Crawford Jr. and Misty of Kerrville, TX; sister, Mickey Crawford and Craig of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother, Tony Crawford of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandchildren, Joey Yates and Jenny, Tyler Crawford, Josh Yates, Tanner Crawford and Tillie, Jason Grear, Andrew Crawford and Charlotte, and Ethan White-Crawford; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks the Tierra Linda VFD, the staff of the Hilltop Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Peterson Hospice Care for their compassionate care and support during Frank's final days. Their kindness and professionalism brought comfort to both Frank and our family.
Graveside services will be held in Roswell, New Mexico at the General Douglas L. McBride Veteran Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Frank's memory to https://www.redcross.org/donate/help-military-families.html/.