Michael Dwayne Crawford

Michael Dwayne Crawford entered heavens gates July 5, 2022. He was born June 18,1970 to Carol Thomas and Don Crawford in Oklahoma City. Mike was preceded in death by his mom Carol Thomas, grandparents, Carl and Connie Fisk, Uncles Jimmy Fisk, Sr. and Dwayne Fisk, beloved Aunts Terry Fisk and Glenda Fisk and cousins Shree Myers and Carl Fisk III. He leaves to cherish his memories his sister Kimber Shafer and her husband Brian and sister Tina Bennett. The three of them were very close and either saw each other or spoke on the phone multiple times daily. Cousin’s Jimmy Jr., Tony, Krissy, Michelle, Tony, David and Angela and Uncle Carl Fisk Jr. and wife Jackie. He loved Kimber’s kids; Caleb, Megan, Brooke and Logan, and Jimmy’s kids; Jimmy Ray and Angel and her daughters Marlana and May. Mike also has siblings on his dad’s side: Virginia, Barbara, Don Jr. and Gene. Mike had more life-long friends than could be typed on a single page, some of which are here as pallbearers today. People were drawn to him because of his kindness and ability to bring together people of all walks of life. Politics didn’t matter, skin color didn’t matter, religion preferences didn’t matter – he loved people and loved to show kindness to people whether he knew them or not. He was generous, even to a fault in some ways.

Mike spent many years as a mentor in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. After spending most of his own life without a father figure in his life, he was determined to be a mentor to young children. Each time he was assigned a “little brother” he also adopted all their siblings as well and mentored and spoiled them well beyond the kids aging out of the program. His grandpa Carl W. Fisk was the man he looked up to and worked under. Even before the age 10 he was tagging along with Papa in the Fisk Brothers Termite work truck. Papa also passed on his love of pro-wrestling. Shortly after Mike graduated from Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City in 1988, he began training under pro-wrestler Tom Jones. He began his career as a pro-wrestler in 1992, using the name “The Oklahoma Kid” and in 1996 became known as “Bad Boy” and soon after accomplished his dream of becoming the owner of Mid-South Wrestling Association. He wrestled alongside and even shared his home with many well-known wrestlers in his years but in his final recorded match in March of 2017 he teamed with Hacksaw Jim Duggan. In total, Mike has 139 documented Oklahoma in-ring appearances over the course of his more than 25 year-long career. Mike’s interests in combat sports extended to mixed martial arts (MMA) and led to him to having local Tough Man Competitions in the early 2000’s and then Cage of Rage events. In February of 2009 he changed the promotions name and formed Rage in The Cage OKC. He was a true pioneer in this industry in Oklahoma even before mixed martial arts and cage fighting had become a well-known sport and is known for paving the way for countless martial artists to climb the ranks over the years. He had just celebrated his 52nd birthday at a two-day Summer Showdown Rage in the Cage Event June 17 and 18th, 2022. Mike always found a way to give back and is remembered by so many as someone who donated much of his time and money to people in need and charitable organizations. He even used his many years as owner of multiple bars to bless others and give them their first shot at jobs such as DJ or security guard. His heart hurt when due to Covid restrictions many were not able to earn a living, so he bravely became the main Plaintiff in lawsuits to help preserve the rights of the restaurant and bar industry.

Mike was raised in the Pentecostal Church and was once a youth pastor and believed in the power of prayer and leaning on his faith which is a lesson we must all learn as we will have to lean on prayer and faith that Mike is in a better place to get us through the coming days and years. His legacy of love and generosity will always be cherished and remembered.

If you have a special memory about Mike Crawford you are willing to share, email to [email protected].

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our appreciation for the meals, cards, flowers, calls, texts, and other expressions of sympathy during our bereavement.

Sincerely, Mike’s Family

A funeral service for Michael will be held Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Southern Hills Baptist Church, 8601 S Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73159. Following the funeral service will be a committal service at Resthaven Memory Gardens, 500 SW 104th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73139.