John Thomas Crawford

John Thomas Crawford was called home to be with the Lord in the early morning of June 30, 2018. John was born in Highpoint, North Carolina on December 26, 1937. He was the second of Agnes Garner’s three children.

In John’s early life he enjoyed playing second base on the William Penn baseball team. After graduating from William Penn High School in 1956, John enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served for nine years in both active duty and as a reservist. He served for three tours: Texas, California, and North Africa. He received the rank of Airman First Class. When he was relocated to the Camarillo Air Force Base, he met the love of his life Varie Hotchkiss. After a long courtship John and Varie married. He accepted her three boys from a previous marriage and her younger sister whom she was raising. He raised them as his own with generosity, love, and care.

John soon accepted a position with Southern California Edison as a Field Service Supervisor. He went on to be the company’s first black supervisor and served as a loyal employee for 34 years. Under the direction of the Reverends Lawrence and Speights of St. Stephen’s AME Church in Highpoint, John accepted the Lord at an early age and was an active member. When his son, Reverend Curtis R. Hotchkiss, established New Life Christian Ministries Church, he served faithfully as Chairman of the Trustee Board for 18 years. John’s final church family was found at Bethel Oxnard AME Church under the direction of Reverend Robert Cox.

In John’s pass time he was an avid reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast. He also enjoyed watching sports, his favorite teams included the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was also an active member of the River Ridge Golf Club.

John is survived by his wife Varie of Oxnard; brother-in-law George Erwin of Oxnard; aunts Betty Mervin and Carol Windom of Highpoint; sister Virginia Johnson of Highpoint; sister-in-law, Lorraine Kelley (Waverly) of Simi Valley; children, Ronald “Keith” Hotchkiss (Kathy) of San Bernardino, Bishop Lawrence “Wayne” Hotchkiss (Karin) of Oxnard, Rev. Curtis R. Hotchkiss (Veronica) of Oxnard; grandchildren, Shawanda Hotchkiss of Atlanta, La’tasha Graham (Shomari) of Orlando, Tonya llamas (Milton) of Corona, Curtis Hotchkiss Jr. of Oxnard, Karina Hotchkiss of San Bernardino, Ryan Hotchkiss of Oxnard, Michael Hotchkiss (Natalie) of Oxnard, JaBree Patterson of Oxnard, Faith Hotchkiss of Oxnard; five great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother Agnes Garner of Highpoint, brother James Crawford of Highpoint, and aunts Beatrice, Vivian, Beaulah, and Helen of Highpoint.

Services will be held at Bethel Oxnard AME Church, 855 S F Street, Oxnard, CA 93030, on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at 10:00 am, followed by burial at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, in Ventura.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.