Don Nolan Crawford

 Funeral services for Don Nolan Crawford, 64, of Maydelle are scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, July 19, 2008 in First Baptist Church in Rusk with Rev. Don Copeland, Rev. G.W. McFadden and Rev. Brad Turlington officiating. Masonic Graveside Rites conducted by Rusk Masonic Euclid Lodge #45 will be in Oakland Cemetery under the direction of Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home in Rusk. Mr. Crawford died July 17, 2008 at his residence. He was born September 25, 1943 in Jacksonville, to Nolan Andrew and Inez Higgins Crawford. He graduated from Maydelle High School and attended Lon Morris College. Mr. Crawford married his high school sweetheart and love of his life Margaret “Cookie” Roach on Aug. 7, 1964. They moved to Dallas where he worked as an insurance underwriter until he was drafted into the army in December of 1965 for the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Korea and served as a Hawk Missile Specialist and was honorably discharged in September of 1967. Don worked with his dad on carpentry work until the couple started a family and then he went back into sales. Over the years he owned and operated a couple of restaurants in Rusk, Don’s Fried Chicken and the Winchester. He also bought and sold timber. Don has owned and operated Crawford’s Kwik Lube, car wash and storage in Rusk since 1998. He was Past Worshipful Master in Rusk Euclid Masonic Lodge #45, served on the Maydelle School Board and was a member of First Baptist Church in Maydelle where he served as Deacon. Don also taught youth and adult Sunday School over the years. Bringing others to Christ was important to him. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and just enjoying God’s Creation. Many memories were made with his family and friends enjoying the outdoors. Donnie loved his children, grandchildren and family, each one special in their own way. He said many times how blessed he and his family have been to have so many special friends and people who cared. Mr. Crawford loved people and was always looking to see who he might help and often did so anonymously. Along with his sweet and loving nature, he had an adventurous and fun loving spirit. Children were naturally drawn to him and loved him. He enjoyed having a good laugh and always had something humorous to say and had the family laughing even during the painful and difficult times during his short battle with cancer. Preceded in death by his parents, Nolan and Inez Crawford, brother, Buck Douglas Crawford, sister, Billie Roach. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Cookie Crawford of Maydelle, daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Phil Smith of Whitehouse, TX, son and daughter-in-law, Don Bradley and Melissa Crawford of Maydelle, grandchildren, Spencer and Preston Smith of Whitehouse, Brandon Crawford, Samantha, Jackson and Tatum Loya all of Maydelle, sister, Joan Scoggins of Mineola, TX, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David and Janet Roach of Maydelle, Jason and Delana Roach of Maydelle, nephews and nieces, Terry Roach, Melody Crawford, Deborah Gray, Buck, Dirk and Drew Crawford, Cody Roach, Jeana Gonzalez and Ty Roach. Masons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Deacons of First Baptist Church in Maydelle, also Billy Lovelady, Max Thomason, Bob Winder, Robert Stover, Tommy Mullinix, Shannon Ezell, Hugh Byrd, Johnny Thompson and Lewie Byers. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, July 18, 2008 at the funeral home. If desired, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Maydelle, PO Box 103, Maydelle, TX 75772 or Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701. Published in the Jacksonville Daily Progress on 7/18/2008

Published in the Jacksonville Daily Progress