Donald Crawford Obituary

Donald Leroy Crawford, age 90, passed away on June 14, 2025. Don was born on February 4, 1935, in Perry, Ohio, to William Crawford and Hazel (Peattie) Crawford. After the death of Don's mother, he was lovingly "adopted" by close family friends Rodger and Miriam (Morton) Champion. Don attended Perry High School where he excelled as a natural athlete on the football field and basketball court. After graduation, Don married his high school sweetheart, Helen Kurtz, and moved to Madison to start Crawford's Nursery, which they owned and operated for over fifty years. Together they raised five children, providing a faith-centered upbringing of love, accountability, and fun. Known to be hardworking and friendly, Don was a beloved member of the Madison community. He was active in the church he and Helen attended as well as in local projects and the Ohio Nurseryman's Association. After retiring and selling their nursery in 2007, Don and Helen moved to South Carolina to be closer to family. They continued to support and encourage missionaries, friends, and neighbors in their new home. Don leaves behind a legacy of service, kindness, unheralded generosity, and humor. His quiet strength and fun-loving demeanor will be greatly missed by his family and the many friends he and Helen poured into throughout their lives. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Kurtz Crawford; parents, William and Hazel Crawford; adoptive parents, Rodger and Miriam Champion; stepsiblings, William "Billy" Peattie, Charles "Chucky" Peattie, and Gladys Peattie Compton; niece, Rae Marie Peattie; and two of his grandchildren, Timothy Crawford and Maria Cuthrell. He is survived by all his children, Dirk (Susan) Crawford, Amy McClanahan, Dale (Lisa) Crawford, Sally Cuthrell, and Becky (Ray) Dewley, along with seventeen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his nephew, CJ Peattie; his cousin, Moe Champion; and many Morton relatives. The Crawford family would like to express sincere appreciation to Sally for living with and attending to Dad for the past two and a half years and to Dale for overseeing Mom and Dad's care for many years. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Trinity Bible Church in Greer, South Carolina, with a time of visitation prior to the service from 1:00-1:45 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.