Jack V Crawford - 10/24/29 - 12/27/08

"Tenor Extraordinaire" 

Jack V. Crawford, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, died peacefully of a heart attack at home on December 27th 2008. Jack is survived by his wife of forty years, Char, and children: Reesie, Karen, Douglas, Richard, Joel, Ray, Chris, and Jackie, their spouses, their 19 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Jackie Johnson, her children, and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Rita and Barry Gilfilen and their children.

 Jack was born on October 24th, 1928, in Anthony, Kansas. He served in the United States Navy for 21 years and was a Navy Chaplain serving in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He and his wife, Char, moved to Kenmore in 1969. Jack became the first mayor of Kenmore, Washington, in 1998 when the city became incorporated. The Jack V. Crawford Skateboard Park was named after Jack in appreciation of his efforts to develop the park for the youth of Kenmore. He served on the Sound Transit Board for many years, was President of the Model A Ford Club of America, President of the Kenmore Heritage Society and of the Kenmore Library Board. He was very active in the Puget Sound Dahlia Association, and was an avid Seahawks and Mariners fan. Jack was an active member of the Bothell United Methodist Church and sang for years in the Sojourners Men’s Gospel Choir. Jack loved his family and was a man of honor and integrity. He gave much and impacted so many by his life. He will be greatly missed, but the example he left will be felt by many among the people he touched.

 Jack was a warm, loving “people person” and will be remembered for his warm smile, twinkling eyes, his great sense of humor and caring ways. He was gifted with intelligence, patience, kindness and leadership skills. He truly loved the Lord, his family and friends. His passions included family activities, church, dahlias, singing with “The Sojourners,” Model A Fords, restoring antiques, home projects, working on his computer, sports, photography, model trains, writing, reading and music. He dearly loved their dog, Miss Mo - and he also loved chocolate!

  To Jack every day was a day to be thankful to God for all of His blessings and to celebrate life. He worked hard on all the things he believed in; he wanted to do his part to make this world a better place. Jack lived a life of service to others – a loving, affectionate and positive man. We cherish our memories of him – he will be greatly missed.