John Paul Crawford

John Paul was born on February 16, 1948, in Austin, Texas. Through adoption, God gave him amazing parents in John Preston Crawford and Alice Brashear Crawford. Growing up, his first job was as the paper boy in his neighborhood. He graduated from Austin High School in 1966. He then went on to the University of Texas Austin, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Experimental Psychology in 1970 and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1975. While at UT, John Paul was in Kappa Psi Pharmacy fraternity, Longhorn Pharmaceutical Association, and on the Pharmacy Council where he served as the President for 2 years. As President of his graduating Pharmacy class, he gave the commencement address at graduation. John Paul was also a member of the Texas Army National Guard from 1971-1976 where he served as a Medical Corpsman and graduate of airborne school at Ft. Benning, Georgia. After college, John Paul followed his father’s footsteps to a career in pharmacy and became a licensed Registered Pharmacist in 1975. During his 47-year career as a pharmacist, he worked as staff and in management in hospital pharmacy, retail pharmacy, pharmaceutical sales and marketing, and technology management. He finished his career working in long-term care pharmacy at Northwest Hills Pharmacy. John Paul was a long-term active member of the Capital Area Pharmaceutical Association and held several leadership positions, including President from 1979-1980. While working at Seton Hospital, John Paul served as Employee Division Chairman on the Seton Medical Expansion Fund Campaign from 1977-1978 for building the new Seton Hospital.

When not working, John Paul enjoyed the many special times with family and friends traveling around the world, playing golf, playing (and winning) trivial pursuit, bird watching, reading books, attending UT football games, and taking long car drives and adventures with his wife. He reveled in the role of father to his children and “Mustache” to his grandchildren, attending sporting and school events, enthusiastically cheering them on, supporting their passions, and creating cherished memories that will forever resonate in their hearts.

Volunteering and serving his community in his free time was very important to John Paul. He loved participating in recording books for Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and volunteering at his churches to improve the property, decorate for holidays, or assist in community outreach.

John Paul’s deep-rooted faith and relationship with God was at the core of his life. He was an original and long-time member at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Cedar Park and several years ago transitioned his membership to re-join Triumphant Love Lutheran Church in Austin. John Paul was always incredibly active in his churches through teaching the High School Sunday School class, leading the youth group, serving on numerous church councils, leading and participating in Adult Sunday School classes, joining the church book club, acting in special event plays (most memorably as Martin Luther), singing in the church choir, and by participating in services as the assistant minister, lector, usher, or on the alter guild. John Paul also served as a Stephen Minister and was a leader and trainer in that program, which provides confidential Christian care by lay members in congregations.

John Paul was preceded in death by his loving parents, John Preston Crawford and Alice Brashear Crawford of Austin, as well as his sister-in-law Darlene Engelke of Austin.

John Paul is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years, Dorothy Crawford, and their two loving children, son Jason Crawford and his wife Natalie of Austin and daughter Brittany Velebil and her wife Nikki of Cibolo. He leaves behind a legacy through his three cherished grandchildren: Campbell Jean Crawford of Austin, Rhett Crawford of Austin, and Yates Velebil of Cibolo. John Paul is also survived by his brother-in-law Bennie Engelke of Austin; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bobby and Charlotte Engelke of Houston; his many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and his many long-lasting deep friendships.

John Paul will be truly missed by many. He may be gone; however, he will always be in our hearts, and he lives through the many lives he touched and blessed in his life. A memorial service to celebrate John Paul’s life will be held on November 10, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, located at 9508 Great Hills Trail, Austin, TX 78759. Flowers may be ordered for the family through Freytag’s Florist. In lieu of flowers, the family is also requesting donations in memory of John Paul Crawford to the American Bladder Cancer Society or another charitable organization of your choice.