Charles Kenneth Crawford USAF (Ret.)

Charles Kenneth Crawford, age 84, passed away on Thursday, August 3, 2023, in Bedford, Texas. He was born in Malden, Missouri, on March 14, 1939, to his parents Everett and Ollie (Holloway) Crawford, Dunklin County cotton sharecroppers. He spent many long hours in the cotton fields of the Missouri Bootheel, helping his family plant and harvest their crops. In his spare time, he found glory in school and on the courts and fields of Malden Green Wave’s sporting events. Graduating as valedictorian of Malden High School’s 1957 class, he also excelled in football, baseball, basketball, and track, even trying out for the St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball farm team after high school. His sporting dreams not realized, Kenneth, as his friends and family called him, fell back on his academic strengths and attended Arkansas State University. Once his college funds ran out, Kenneth and two friends from Malden joined the US Air Force on September 2, 1958, and arrived at basic training at San Antonio’s Lackland AFB two days later. Thus began his almost 32-year USAF career.

Having left his love, Mary Katherine Hartman, back in Missouri, Kenneth courted her from Lackland AFB, winning her hand in marriage on July 18, 1959. Immediately following the wedding, they headed off to their first USAF assignment at Scott AFB, Illinois. There they welcomed the first of their three daughters, Christina Kay, in October of 1961. Chuck, as his military family called him, was an airman serving at the base hospital. Realizing that his medical career was limited when the sight of blood made him pass out, he went to school in the evenings at Belleville Junior College; from his excellence on the job and in his academic endeavors, he was selected to the Air Force’s Airman Education and Commissioning Program. Attending Ohio State University from 1962-1964, Chuck earned his BS in Business Administration while also adding daughter number two, Katherine Ann in June of 1963. Following graduation and Officer Training School – again at Lackland AFB – Chuck was commissioned by the USAF in December of 1964. With orders for Hill AFB, Utah, the family moved to Salt Lake City where 2nd Lieutenant Crawford served his first assignment in the comptroller field as a staff auditor. While at Hill AFB, daughter number 3, Candace Lynette, completed the family of five in May of 1966. From Hill AFB, the Air Force sent Chuck to Michigan State University where he earned his MBA in Accountancy in 1967. Following graduation, Captain Crawford was deployed to Tuy Hoa, Vietnam. Upon returning from Vietnam, a whirl wind of successful assignments and cross-country moves saw him through 1990 where Colonel Crawford retired from the Air Force as Deputy Chief of Staff – Comptroller MAC (Military Airlift Command) in San Antonio on July 31st.

After retirement, San Antonio was the place where Chuck and Mary decided to call home, building their dream home. While there, they greeted seven grandchildren and became active in their church, Holy Spirit Catholic Church. During that time, Chuck worked for USAA and supported Mary in her newfound philanthropic endeavors. Family time with his family was his hobby and passion. Following almost 58 years of marriage, Mary passed away in 2017, leaving Chuck alone for the first time since 1959. With sadness, in 2021, Chuck left his home in San Antonio to move to Bedford, TX so that he could be closer to one of his daughters. In Bedford, Chuck found happiness in some of the residents who he called friends at his home at Heartis Mid-Cities Senior Living community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, and his beloved wife. Charles is survived by daughters, Christina Thebeau of Lone Tree, CO, Katherine Myers of Euless, TX, and Candace Lillibridge of Houston, TX; sons-in-law, Dennis Thebeau and John Lillibridge; grandchildren, Allie and Matt Mobley of Castle Rock, CO, Michael Thebeau and Michelle Freres of Denver, CO, Lauren and Danny Martin of Lake Jackson, TX, Blake Myers of The Colony, TX, and Heather, Holly, and Scott Lillibridge of Houston, TX; great-grandson, Eli Mobley; brothers-in-law, Carson Loafman of Jackson, MO and Fred Hartman of Pebble Beach, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

The family will receive guests from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

FUNERAL SERVICEFRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 202310:00 AMPORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL2102 N. LOOP 1604 E.

GRAVESIDE SERVICEFRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 202312:00 PMHOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CEMETERY17501 NACOGDOCHES RD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to GRACE – Grapevine Relief & Community Exchange at https://www.gracegrapevine.org/donate/.

Please click here to view a recording of the chapel service.