Thursday, October 1, 2026
Born June 22, 1940. Deceased Sept. 23, 2025 at the age of 85. He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Frederick “Fritz” and Georgia Crawford. The family relocated to New Mexico with older sister Georgia Ann “Jan” where he spent much of his youth. Fred developed a dedicated work ethic helping his father, a farmer, and later a mechanic by trade and businessman. Fred was a collector of friendships, experiences, golf clubs, sweater vests, and nicknames: “Fred J”, “Freddie J”, where "J is for Jeanius”, among others. He was “Freddie” to those in Artesia, New Mexico, with whom he remained lifelong friends and shared playing for the Fighting Bulldogs to win the state championship in 1957.
A devoted friend to many, he continued collecting friends and stories too colorful to write down. Acknowledgment to those in his life: the “lunch bunch”, his lifelong golf partners, his quail crew and Buddies Drive-in, his ice cream friends and church community in Granbury, among others.
Fred attended college and played baseball in Odessa, Texas, and later attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He met and married Cheri Smith and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Fred served in San Diego, California, and welcomed son, Spencer before moving to Odessa, Texas, to raise his son and two daughters, Julie and Shannon, while supporting the family business - McMillan Lumber Company and Hardware stores. Fred was a business owner, landman, city councilman, and served on many business and community boards. In his devotion to the community and business, he remained fun, a good sportsman and a scratch golfer. He often said “he couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t know the Lord” which fostered a legacy of faith, service, and joy in his community and church life. His love for God was only matched by his love for family. He earned his favorite nickname, “PJ” given to him by his beloved grandchildren. He stated his only regret in life: not telling his children to have children sooner to share his love, time, golf clubs, a fun-loving spirit, and a deep appreciation for family. Fred met and married Barbara Darmstadt in Granbury, Texas, and expanded his devotion and support to family, friends, and community there. Fred will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, loyal friend, and faithful servant to both his Lord and his community. Fred is survived by his wife Barbara Crawford and his family: son Spencer Crawford and wife Kim, daughter Julie Morton and husband Derrick, daughter Shannon Crawford and wife Tammy; grandchildren Konner and Karsyn Crawford, grandchildren Sam and Libby Morton; nieces Cathy Hawkins, Patty Talley, and Debbie Tolle and families, and cousin Pam Crawford Hughes of Oklahoma City. Fred is preceded by his parents Frederick “Fritz” Crawford and Georgia Rook, and sister Georgia Ann Lloyd. Memorial to lay Fred Crawford to rest is planned at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery - 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, Texas – Nov. 7, 2025 at 10 a.m.
