Joel "Jay" Dalbey Crawfis III

Born July 31, 1935 in Akron, Ohio, Jay was the son of the late Joel Dalbey Crawfis, Jr. and Lucille Hall Crawfis. Following graduation from Buchtel High School, he furthered his education at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. After beginning his career as a mortgage loan officer, Jay’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to own his own businesses. However, he found his true calling working as controller for automobile dealerships, and he worked with several dealerships in Ohio and North Carolina.

Serving others was important to Jay, and he served in many different capacities. Jay joined the freemasonry in 1962, becoming Master of the Stow Lodge #768 (Stow, Ohio) in 1986. Jay was a lifelong Christian, serving as Senior Warden at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He also served his country honorably in the U.S. Army National Guard and the National Guard Reserve.

The joy of Jay’s life was his family, and he was happiest when he spent time with them. In 1957 Jay married the love of his life, Sandy Wilhelm. He was also a devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather, attending all school and sports activities. In 1991 Jay moved from Akron, Ohio to Charlotte, North Carolina to follow his children. As avid travelers, Jay and Sandy visited every state, including Alaska and Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. After traveling the U.S., they visited several foreign countries. Jay’s greatest passion, however, was bridge, playing at Raintree Country Club where he met many of his friends.

Jay is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sandra Crawfis; their children, Sherri Taylor (Mike) and Jeff Crawfis (Anne); five grandchildren: Aaron Pifer (Chelsea), Sean Pifer, Adam Crawfis, Brandi Gagliardi (Nick) and Jay Crawfis; three great-grandchildren: Evelyn Pifer, Sebastian Pifer and Charli Gagliardi; and his sister, Sue Mathauser, of Westmont, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lori Crawfis, and sisters, Louanne Kaye and Robin Young.

His funeral service will be held at Providence Presbyterian Church, 10140 Providence Church Lane, Charlotte, NC at 1 o’clock Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Internment will be in Akron, Ohio.

For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider Jay’s favorite charities, Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and St. Jude’s Hospital, or Hospice of Charlotte.

Condolences may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com