Kelly was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to Louise and Carl Crawford on October 1, 1963.Kelly was the youngest of five children. He grew up on his family’s 100-acre farm in Kellyville, Oklahoma. He was always eager to learn and grow, reading Reader’s Digest for fun at only three years old. As a child, Kelly was very close to his grandmother. He loved to tend to his farm animals and enter them in local shows. He also enjoyed road trips with his family and adventures on his family’s farm land. He graduated Valedictorian, in 1981, from Kellyville High School and went on to attend college. Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, with a minor in math, at Oklahoma State University. He later attended Tulsa University, earning a master’s degree and doctorate in Computer Science. As a testament to Kelly’s lifelong love of learning, he went on to obtain his fifth degree, an M.B.A. in Finance from Cameron University in 2011.
Kelly met his wife of 34 years, Phyllis, while attending Oklahoma State University. They married on May 11, 1984.
Kelly is survived by daughters Kelsey, Misty, Amber; son, Phillip, and wife, Phyllis. Siblings, Suzanne, Margie, Carlya and Mitch Crawford; Nieces and nephews, Brian, Adam, Shelly, Christy, Travis, Jessie, Jeff, Callie, and numerous other family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Mike McKinney.
Kelly’s kindness, wit, talent, and willingness to help his peers will be cherished as memories by many. He will be greatly missed. Kelly will be buried alongside his parents in Sapulpa, Oklahoma at Green Hill Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kelly’s family to help alleviate the financial burden of funeral expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/funeral-for-kelly-crawford
