Sam Hays Crawford, 96, of El Dorado, died Tuesday, October 15, at John R Williamson Hospice House. He was born November 4, 1922, near El Dorado, Arkansas, to Joe L. and Jimmie Hays Crawford. He grew up in El Dorado and graduated from El Dorado High School (EHS) in 1941. He was proud to have also been a member of the EHS Class of 1940, and he enjoyed planning and attending reunions for both classes. He even enjoyed playing bus tour guide for classmates who had been gone from El Dorado for many years; after all, who knew El Dorado and where everyone lived better than the guy who grew up helping his dairyman father deliver milk all over town?
After graduation he hitchhiked to California where he worked in aircraft manufacturing in La Jolla until enlisting in the Army Air Corps during World War II where he served in the 8th Air Force, 44th Bomber Group. His Shipdham, England-based B-24 crew flew 32 combat missions over Europe, including two missions in support of the Normandy Invasion. He flew additional missions as a fill-in member for other crews. His service commendations include Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaves. He was discharged from the Air Corps as a Staff Sergeant in 1945. Following his service, he returned to El Dorado where he worked in the chemical industry until his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Sue Shackelford Crawford. He is survived by daughters Sammye Crawford of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Connie Ehlmann (Jim) of Camden, Arkansas, son Chris Crawford of El Dorado, and three grandchildren, Jay Ehlmann of Portland, Oregon, Samuel Ehlmann of Ruston, Louisiana, and Hannah Black (Tanner) of El Dorado. Also surviving are his sister, Mary Jo Crawford, and brother, Dan Crawford, both of El Dorado.
Visitation will be held 5 – 8 p.m. Friday, October 18, at Young’s Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 19, at First United Methodist Church, Dr. David Bush officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the John R. Williamson Hospice House, 2301 Champagnolle Road, El Dorado, Arkansas; First United Methodist Church, 201 S Hill, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730, or Alzheimer’s Arkansas Programs and Services, 201 Markham Center Dr., Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.
An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18