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Obituary for Ray Eugene Crawford
Ray Eugene Crawford, age 91 went to Heaven Dec 10th, 2018. He was born August 9th1927 in Nowata, OK to James McCauley and Nanny Wesson May Crawford. He was the youngest of seven children; three sisters: Juaneita, Clara, and Stella. And three brothers, David, Harold and Ralph. He was born at home at 400 South Willow Street in Nowata.
His father was a Blacksmith who had moved his shop to their homeplace property during the depression. His father shoed horses and repaired buggies in Nowata from 1917 to 1965. Ray’s older sisters Juaneita and Clara got jobs with the telephone company and helped keep Ray and the other children in clothes and shoes for school. Ray’s father would also preach on Sundays in small country churches close by Nowata. Ray’s parents insisted on church attendance for the whole family. They attended the First Baptist Church where as a young boy he made his profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
When the United States entered World War II, two of Ray’s older brothers, Harold and Ralph, were enlisted into the Armed Services and began serving in Europe. Ray didn’t like being left behind. In 1944, age 17, he quit high school after only one year and got his father’s permission to join the Merchant Marines. After completing training, he joined the Coast Guard. After completing Coast Guard training, he joined the Army National Guard in Arkansas. After completing basic training, he was able to join the regular Army where he served in the Pacific theater until his honorable discharge in September 1947. Some of his time was spent helping restore Japan.
Upon returning home to Nowata, Oklahoma, he married Myrtle Lou Brown August 17, 1947 in a double wedding with his older brother Ralph. The ceremony took place on a Sunday morning before Sunday School. Pastor Alvin Hedin conducted the ceremony.
Ray and Myrtle Lou soon moved to Missouri where he completed his education at William Jewell College in Liberty Missouri. Feeling the call to preach, he was ordained into the ministry September 27, 1952 in Emporia Kansas. He joined the Kansas City Missouri Police Department on September 1st,1958 where he served 20 years as an officer, detective, chaplain, and polygraphist. His assignments included #4 District Station, Juvenile Bureau and Polygraph Unit where his was assigned at the time of his retirement. He retired September 1st, 1988, having reached the rank of Sergeant.
In retirement he became an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the great outdoors!
He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, 6 months, Myrtle Lou on Feb. 15, 2000. Parents: James M. and Nanny Crawford, Sisters: Juaneita L. Garrison, Clara Turner, and Stella Crawford Martin. Brothers: Harold Crawford, David Crawford and Ralph Crawford.
He is survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.
Services will be held Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018 at 10am at the Souder Family Funeral Home, 1333 NE Barry Road, Kansas City, MO 64155, with interment in Nowata, Oklahoma Memorial Park Cemetery.
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