Donald Ernest Crawford

A graduate from Pueblo County High School 1956, he was a member of Mixed Corus and Glee Club. Donald launched his “career” in rodeo in 1952 at the age of 14. He rode bulls, saddle bronc, and bare-back. For nine years he managed to squeeze work and school into his Rodeo schedule until he joined the Army July 6, 1961 and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. Due to an injury from his 1st “career” he received an honorable medical discharge on June 22, 1962. On April 1, 1963 Don married Oleavia “Dixie” Crane, a special lady he loved almost as much as he loved Rodeo. He soon started working for the C&W railroad and they began their family. To this union was born 3 children, Royce, Shelly, and Tom. Don’s rodeo “career” was cut short in 1968 when 1/3 of his thumb was amputated in a work mishap. Don moved his family to Kentucky in 1974 where he received training as a certified welder. Don and Dixie divorced a short time later and he returned to Pueblo and stated working for Johnny’s Boiler Shop. He worked there until his retirement in 1999. In 1976 Don met and married Dona Clift they were together a short time when she became ill. In his later years Don met Elvira Cruz, and though they never married they were life partners until her passing in 2014. Don will be missed by many as no one was a stranger to him, just a friend he had not met yet.

He is survived by son Royce (Amber) Crawford, daughter Shelly Crawford Bauer, son Tom (Sherry) Crawford, brother Norman Crawford, sister Melva (Claud) Ketterman, sister Neva LoPresti, sister Betty (Frank) McMurrey. Fifteen grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 21 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded by father Ernest Crawford, mother Edith Cornelson Crawford, brothers David Joe Crawford and Kenneth Crawford, first wife Oleavia “Dixie” Crane Crawford, second wife Dona Clift Crawford, son-in-law Russell Bauer, sisters-in-law Mary Crawford, Connie Crawford, Dixie Crawford Dockter, brother-in-law Joe LoPresti, and nephews Norton Updegraff and William McMurrey.

Memorial services will be held at Imperial Funeral Home, Pueblo Saturday June 3, 2017 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers donations in Don’s memory to Sangre de Cristo Hospice & Palliative Care would be appreciated.