Thomas Raymond Crawford

Thomas Raymond Crawford (Tom), 75, of Otsego, Minnesota, died Sunday, May 7, 2023, at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, surrounded by his family.

Tom was born on April 12, 1948, in Bismarck, North Dakota, to Julian Benjamin Crawford and Ellen Crawford. He grew up the oldest of 5 children and attended school at White Shield. He graduated high school in 1966 and was drafted into the Army from 1969 until 1971. After the Army, Tom attended North Dakota State College of Science, in Wahpeton, North Dakota to pursue a career as an auto body technician.

On May 6, 1972, married Mavis (Jones) Crawford, and became father of her daughter, Laura Michelle Crawford who was 2 years old at the time. They settled in Garrison, North Dakota, where Tom ran Tom’s Auto Body. In 1973, they welcomed their daughter, Kelley Rae Crawford, and in 1981, they welcomed their son, Andrew Benjamin Crawford. Tom was also a volunteer firefighter for the Garrison Fire Department.

In 1989, the family settled in Elk River, Minnesota, where Tom worked for Maaco in St. Louis Park, and then later became employed at Abra Auto Body in Elk River. In 1995, the family moved to Otsego, Minnesota, and this is where Tom and Mavis retired.

Tom loved to go fishing, build and fly radio-controlled aircraft, sing and play the guitar and steel guitar, plant and take care of his huge garden. He also enjoyed canning and making his own sausage, smoked meat and brewing beer.

Tom is survived by his brother, James Henry Crawford (Susi) of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, his wife of 51 years, Mavis, his daughters, Laura Michelle Crawford and Kelley Rae Crawford, and his son, Andrew Benjamin Crawford (Lisa). His grandsons, Alexander Thomas Crawford, of Tacoma, Washington, Patrick Johnson of (city), and Cannon David Shealy of Albertville, Minnesota. His granddaughters Annabel Ruiz-Crawford and Sophia Ruiz-Crawford of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings, Colleen Alexander, Peggy Grover, and Richard Crawford.

A Celebration of Life will be provided by Dare’s Funeral Home in Elk River, Minnesota, on June 9, 2023, 10:00 am for the public gathering and service at 11:00 am. Lunch provided starting at 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm, at the American Legion Post #112, in Elk River, MN.     

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