John R. Crawford

John R. Crawford, 96, of Ford City, was called to be with the Lord on Friday, October 21, 2022.

John was born November 26,1925. He was raised by Joe and Helen Crawford, and lived in Ford City all his life.  John went to high school until his sophomore year and then enlisted in the Navy.

During World War II, he was aboard an LST Vessel and his position was to drive soldiers ashore in the landing crafts in the Pacific Theatre.

After the war, he moved back home and married Dorothy Kamer. The couple lived with her parents for about a year and then built a home to raise their family.

He took care of his wonderful wife, Dorothy, with undying love until her passing. He was loyal to a fault.

John worked at Eljer Plumbingware for 43 years, starting as a caster for 10 years, painted for 25 years, and eventually worked in maintenance.

For a hobby and side job, he did a lot of carpentry.  He was very precise and accurate in what he did. John made many of the kitchen cabinets, gun cabinets and doll houses around the area. He also built porch swings and rockers, made many of the church hymnal holders and loved to make ducks etc. as whirlybirds.

In his later years he loved going to the flea market and going out to eat.  John was a regular member of the First Baptist Church of Ford City, and read the Bible every night.  He was a kind and gentle soul who would do anything for anyone.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

John is survived by his son, John J. Crawford and his wife, Kathy S. (Baker) Crawford;  his daughter, Deborah (Crawford) Febinger and her husband, Thomas Febinger; his grandchildren: John J. Umbaugh, Jonathan Crawford, Jason Febinger and Vanessa (Moneymaker) Febinger; seven great-grandchildren:  Hannah MacIntyre, Colin MacIntyre, Alex Umbaugh, Ethan Umbaugh, Lucian Umbaugh, Jessica Arblaster, and James Joseph Majer (resides in Germany), and one great-great grandchild, Jesse Allen Umbaugh. 

Friends will be welcomed from 5-8 p.m., Monday, at Welch Funeral Service, LLC, 1032 Fourth Ave., Ford City, where a funeral service will take place at 10 a.m., Tuesday, with Pastor Tim Kutch officiating.  Interment will follow in Rimersburg Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.  To share memories or condolences, please visit www.welchfh.com.

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