John Crawford Jr.

John Crawford Jr., 91, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Delta, passed away Friday, Aug. 28, 2015, at Chateau Girardeau.

He was born Jan. 5, 1924, in Delta, the son of John Brewster and Bertha Smith Crawford. He and Mary Louise Hector, high-school sweethearts, were married Nov. 14, 1942, in Jackson. They lived and farmed in the Delta area until moving to Cape Girardeau in 1992.

John was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church since 1992, where he was a member of the men's Sunday-school class and served on the building committee of the present church building. He was a former member of Delta Baptist Church, where he served for many years as a deacon, Sunday-school teacher and many other church leadership roles. He and Louise often housed the many revivalists who came to hold revivals there. They also served on mission trips to other states as church planters. He was an avid reader of Bible-study literature and often led Bible-study classes.

John farmed successfully from an early age both in the Randles/Arbor and Delta areas. He also became a dairyman for many years while growing field crops. John graduated from Delta High School in 1941 where he was a scholar athlete. He was an example of how we should live our lives. Many would say he left a legacy of faith, leading by example. He was rock-solid in his faith, with a servant-hearted life well lived.

He is survived by two daughters, Judy (Douglas) White of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Karen Kight of Jackson; two special nephews, Doug (Tammy) Simminger of Gordonville and John (Nancy) Simminger of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Pauline Dalton of Ironton, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Suda Crawford of Evansville, Indiana; many nieces and nephews; four grandchildren, Randy (Angela) White of Dallas, Lisa (Greg) Bayless of Tulsa, Lorrie (Evan) Falat of Tulsa and Quinn Kight of Orange Beach, Alabama; and 12 great-grandchildren, Lydia White Dubose, Zeb White, Emily White, Kathryn White, Braden Bayless, Benjamin Bayless, Beth Ellen Bayless, Bo Bayless, Addy Falat, Whitley Falat, Paxton Falat and Preston Kight.

John was preceded in death by his parents; Mary Louise, his loving wife of 66 years, who passed away in 2009; two brothers, Bob and Billy Crawford; and a son-in-law, Danny Kight.

Friends may call from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating.

Graveside service will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association Peaceful Valley Camp, 22199 Peaceful Valley Drive, Saint Mary, MO 63673.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.