Paul M. Crawford

Paul Mew Crawford passed away April 19, 2026 at Lenbrook Assisted Living in Atlanta, GA at the age of 102. His parents were Harry N. Crawford, Sr. and Rhoda Mew Crawford of Americus, GA; he was the fifth born of seven children, and outlived all of his siblings. In his last years, he was totally blind and couldn't hear.

He and his brothers grew up in Meldrim, GA, and they loved to fish and hunt along the banks of the Ogeechee River. His father worked for the Seaboard Airline Railroad and they lived along the railroad tracks before moving to Americus, GA. He graduated from Americus High School and Georgia Southwestern College before entering the U.S. Army Air Force.

He was told by his recruiter he would have to be a fighter pilot, because his legs were too short to reach the pedals of a bomber. He became a US Army Air Force fighter pilot and flew with the Flying Tigers over China. While in China, the Japanese shot down his P-51 aircraft, and he was extremely lucky he ran toward the Chinese and not the Japanese. With the aid of the Chinese villagers, it took him six months to return to his unit. During this time, he was listed as Missing in Action by the Department of Defense.

After WWII, he attended Georgia Tech, and graduated with a BS in Industrial Management, and it was there, he met the love of his life, Jean Bullard, from Thomson, GA. They married and had a daughter, Marsha, who was the apple of his eye. He was devastated when Marsha died from breast cancer. He named his pet, Marsha Cat, because Marsha helped him adopt the cat.

He spent decades working for US Envelope Company, and was one of their best salesmen. He loved to take customers, family and friends to St. Marks, FL to fish. In retirement, he liked fishing with the Southern Company boys. A good time was had by all.

Paul is survived by his son-in-law, Tommy Powell, his wife Barbara, his caregivers, Loretta and Sonia and many nieces and nephews located throughout Georgia, Florida, Texas, and New Hampshire. He was a wonderful husband, father, uncle and friend. He was loved and admired by all who knew him. For additional information on Paul, please Google "Oral History of Paul M. Crawford".

A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Atlanta or Georgia Tech Alumni Association.