Richard Franklin Crawford

his home in Surprise, Arizona. He was 88 years young.

Richard was born in Ashland, Ohio, to Croco H. Crawford and Margaret L. Crawford

(Kramer). He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janet (Kraft), their daughter Diane and

her partner Sean, granddaughters Ashley (Joe) Schiavone, Kelsi (Andrew) Viola and his

sisters Patricia Vicars and Karen (Tom) Motz.

Richard at a young age, broke both his arms at the same time, playing at the local park.

Even though Richard had to repeat 1st grade, he loved school. He graduated at Lakeview

High School with 6 other classmates. He played basketball in high school but never really

liked any professional sports. He continued his education, graduated Ashland College (now

University) and University of Akron with his Master’s Degree in Education and pursued

becoming a school teacher/educator. He loved teaching, history, art and ancestry. He also

took the time to serve our nation in the U.S. ARMY during the Korean War and served his

time performing duties in Alaska. After his service, he worked hard on his resume,

teaching children of enlisted military men and women in Morocco and then teaching

children at the Nyack Boys School in Nyack, New York.

Richard met his Wife, Janet in Smithville, Ohio in 1963 while teaching art. They fell in

love and were married August 29, 1964. They lived in Wooster, Ohio and Cuyahoga Falls,

Ohio. In 1970, Richard and Janet moved to Maui, Hawaii. Richard was recruited to start a

brand-new work study program at Maui High School. He also taught children with special

needs during his tenure at Maui High School. He was always very involved in the Maui

community and at Makawao Union Church, where Richard taught Sunday school.

He was a board member of the Hawaii State Teachers Association at both the local and

state level. He also served on the State of Hawaii Grand Jury. Richard and Janet made

many great friends over the years and maintained a very close Ohana. Richard and Janet

lived on the island of Maui from 1970 until 1999. In 1999, they moved to Fort Collins,

Colorado.

Richard loved Earl Grey tea, was a movie addict, appreciated most all music and had a very

green thumb, He could make anything grow, especially orchids. Richard had an adoration

of mushrooms, shrimp and world travel. He cherished playing games like, Mahjong and

Hazee with friends and family every chance he got. His signature was, he was always

wearing a hat of some sort.

Richard always was considered a rebel, stubborn and strong willed, but, was viewed as a

confident and caring individual, always highly regarded and loved by his family and

admired by his peers.

He always used sayings “Mahalo Nui Loa” and “Aloha”, absorbed from living on Maui.

Richard will be missed but never forgotten.

A Hui Hou Richard, We Love You

Richard will be laid to rest, with his family in Ohio and also on Maui at a later date.