James Collie Crawford Jr., 87, of Boston, Ky., passed his soul to Jesus and eternal life after a long battle with bladder cancer.
In his own words he said that his 87 years was a good life. He was married at 20. He then became a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He and Jane McGuire enjoyed marriage for 66 years. They raised four kids who became career workers with interesting spouses and blessed them with grands and great-grand kids, his legacy. St. Benedict and St. Clare Parishes were his life churches and he was always as active and faithful as his health allowed. His work for 30 years at Ford Motor Co. gave him both a fair union wage and lifelong benefits. After retirement he took painting, pen and ink drawing, stained glass and carpentry lessons, which he used for home products, special glass deco hangings, repairing church windows and painting and framing art works for family and friends. With help, he built a lakeside home where he spent many wonderful years. His volunteer services were as the St. Clare Cemetery contact, a Knight of Columbus and participant in a Respect Life, Washington, D.C., march. In Lebanon Junction he served as the Lions Club President for one term. And in residence at the lake community, he served as president of the Hurricane Hills Lot Owners Association for six years. He enjoyed many casino trips with his brothers and daughters. With Jane never as a partner, he competed with her at many card games and domino games. Together they toured 49/50 states (not Hawaii). For 46 years he helped his brother, Stanley, who was loved by all of the family. Spiritually, Mass, EWTN news, the Pope’s messages, scripture programs, praying and talk-time together grew his faith. In his 80s he made hundreds of greeting cards for Jane’s use. He was humbled by the card owner’s appreciation. Alleluia.
Survivors include his spouse, Amanda Jane McGuire Crawford; daughters, Julie Allen (Tracy), Jamie Argenbright (Joe) and Susy Duncan (Steve); daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jimmy “Gayle” Crawford; grandchildren, Andrea Thieneman (Joseph), Lindsay Setters (Dusty), Will Allen (Katie), Whitney Thorpe (Justin) and Thomas Crawford (Madison); great-grandchildren, Alex, Anna and Addy Tufono, Dessie and Tristan Setters, Piper, Eleanor and Joseph Thorpe, William T., Maggie, Micah, Morgan James and Mallory Mae Allen, new child in pregnancy to be announced and Maeley and Gracey Thieneman; and godchildren, Lillian, Linda, Dwight and Tony Leonard.
He was preceded in death by son, Jimmy Crawford; grandson, Collin Crawford; parents, Collie and Dorothy Brown Crawford; and stillborn twin sons of Gayle and Jimmy.
A private family celebration will be held.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of an outreach to family, masses and acts of kindness to the homebound.
For further information please contact the family.
Trowbridge Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
