BOMBER MEMORIAL

DONALD MELVIN "DON" CRAWFORD ~ Class of 1964
August 26, 1946 - January 1, 2012









Information came from Don's son, R. Don:

"Dad passed away January 1, 2012. He was born August 26, 1946, in. Whitefish, Montana, to a Scottish/Canadian butcher-wildlife hunting guide and a nurse from Ohio."

"The family moved to Richland when dad was 14. After graduation, he attended Harden-Simmons university on a music scholarship. Left after a year. Liked singing, hated theory. Did four years in the Navy as a postal clerk on the USS Independence."

"Eventually returned to the Pacific Northwest. Dad raised his family there. Mostly in the 'burbs of Seattle but, also in the Portland area. Dad probably never lived for more than 2 years of his adult life more than a few miles of a cold water trout stream. Despite all the time he spent in frozen water up to his waste he still had / raised 6 children."

"Professionally, he drove truck, did construction, worked in warehouses. He never accumulated any wealth but, always put food on the table and kept a roof over our heads. He shared his love for the out doors with his family. There were weekly picnics and / or campouts, even if it was raining cats and dogs. He made sure his sons were involved in Boy Scouts and served as a leader for approximately 20 years. He came on every fifty mile backpack trip and 100 mile canoe trip. I earned eagle and my little brother attained the rank of life scout before he became more interested in girls than scouting and fishing. Mom was just as dedicated to training my female siblings in out door skills and Dad was very involved in that as well."

"Dad was very involved in church and church related service. For several years we went out monthly to cut firewood for elderly shut ins."

"He was married twice - once for two years in Missouri. It resulted in the birth of my half sister who is six months younger than me. He married my mom when I was 7 on a houseboat on the Washington side of the Columbia River. He immediately accepted my brother and sister and we became his. He and mom had 2 more daughters."

"While maintaining solid physical shape, he was diagnosed with diabetes in his late 50s and it was complicated by kidney disease in his early 60s. In '94 - when it became apparent that his health would preclude him from full-time employment - my mom finished her degree so Dad could spend his time fishing (sitting in a folding chair)."

"Das is survived by his wife, April, all six of his children, and 21 grandchildren."

"One story related to his high school loyalties:"

"My passion in high school after fishing and all other things out of doors, was track and field. Despite limited funds and time off from work, dad could always be counted on to drive me all over the Pacific Northwest to compete in various races and meets during the summer. On one occasion, we went to Pasco to participate in a track meet. As mom tells it, dad was yelling for me at the top of his lungs until I came around the final turn in the 400 meter hurdles when he recognized the [green & gold} Richland Bomber High School uniform on the kid to my left. He became very quiet. After the race he stated simply that if a Bomber had to loose, it should be to his kid."

A memorial service was held January 5, 2012 in the Spanish Fork 17th Ward LDS Chapel in Spanish Fork, UT.