Darrel Crawford, the consummate coach and referee of our family left this life peacefully on February 5, 2024. He was born on September 5, 1931 to John and Alice Crawford, the third of 4 children. Darrel grew up in the small coal-mining town of Columbia in central Utah. He was very proud of this small, close knit community and told many stories of the unique people and great adventures that he had while growing up in this wonderful town. It was because of his experience with people of many ethnicities and backgrounds in this community that enabled him to have an appreciation and respect for people from all walks of life.
Darrel was a gifted athlete and excelled in baseball and football. He earned athletic scholarships, first to Carbon Jr College, and then Brigham Young University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education. He went on to become a winning coach in these sports: first at the high school level, and later as an assistant coach with the University of Utah football program.
He began working a side job for Mt Fuel Natural Gas company which eventually became his life career as he worked up through the ranks of company management. He enjoyed tremendously all of his friends and coworkers at Mt. Fuel. Darrel, however, could not let go of sports and began to officiate football - eventually becoming a highly regarded and sought after referee and officiated in major college football bowl games. He was invited to lecture and mentor in many officiating clinics and was honored by the Mountain West Conference Officials Association for his excellence. Darrel was also inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame for his officiating skills.
Darrel was an avid golfer and was especially fond of playing golf with his many friends and family at Alpine Country Club.
Darrel met his wife, Patsy Burdick, in the eighth grade. He insists he fell in love with her the first time he saw her. They married while attending BYU in the Manti Temple on July 17, 1953 and were later were blessed with two sons. It was impossible to be around Darrel and Pat and not know how much they loved and were dedicated to their family. They were incredible parents and grandparents who blessed the lives of their boys and grandsons with many wonderful experiences, education, and an overabundance of love.
They encouraged and were involved in all of their sons’ activities with time and support, whether is was sports, music, or academics. They taught them how to achieve success even in the face of adversity and many difficult challenges.
Darrel especially taught by example the value of dedication, hard work, and the mandatory trait of getting back up when knocked down - every single time.
Darrel was very generous with his time and resources to those in need, whether it be family, neighbors, or strangers, and exemplified the teaching of the Savior “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”.
Darrel, you truly lifted, coached, and guided all of us. We love you and will miss you.
A special thank you to all of Darrel’s neighbors for taking such great care of him and especially Shauna Godfrey and her family.
Also, a special thank you to Sharon and all the workers and patrons at Sharon’s Cafe where you treated Darrel like family.
We are grateful to Randi and Rosa from Serenity hospice and Treeo Independent Living Center staff in Orem for their wonderful and compassionate care during the last several months of Darrel’s life.
Darrel was preceded in death by his loving wife Patsy, and his son Scott. He is survived by his son Gary (Kathy), his sister Shirley(Howard), and his grandsons Chris (Andrea), Cam (Miranda), and his great grandchildren whom he adored.
A viewing for Darrel will be held Sunday, February 11, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah 84106, followed by a funeral service at 10:00 AM.
