John Lee Crawford

John Lee Crawford, age 75, of Columbia, Missouri passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024. Visitation for John will be Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, Missouri. Celebration of life will be 2pm, Wednesday, September 18, at the funeral home followed by the committal service with Military Honors in Memorial Park Cemetery. In honor of John, please wear your favorite jeans and shirt or something casual.

John was born October 22, 1948 in Columbia, to Harold and Leona Snodgrass Crawford. A lifelong resident of Columbia, he started school in a one room schoolhouse with outhouses and was a 1966 graduate of Hickman High School. After graduating from Hickman he was drafted by the US Army and served in combat in the Vietnam War. He served his country on the front lines and behind enemy lines, and earned a Bronze Star. He was Honorably Discharged in March 1971. Upon his return, he worked two years for the Boone County Sheriff’s Department. He then used the GI Bill and enrolled in Columbia College where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree. He married Helen Martin in Columbia on April 10, 1976.

John worked for 3M for 30 years before he retired at the age of 55. John loved to take his tractor and work around their property. He always kept himself busy, building a great party space at their home for friends and family to gather. He also built their 8’ dining room table, buffet, king size bed and nightstands, gazebo, etc. John was very family oriented, taking his family on trips, and to concerts, and loved to make people laugh. He volunteered with Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen and Heart of Missouri Girls on the Run. He also sponsored a little boy in Peru with whom he wrote and received many letters, and financially supported a Christian radio station. He had planned to rebuild his classic 1956 Ford truck, but his failing health did not allow it.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Helen Martin Crawford; daughters, Amanda (Larry) Nunn of Grain Valley and Christina (Jared) Torbet of Columbia; granddaughters, Samantha & Harper Nunn; a step-grandson, Jaden Torbet; brother, Harold “Corkey” Crawford of Macon; nephew, Eric (Melinda) Crawford of Macon, and three great-nephews: Wesley, Matthew and Trevor Crawford. He was preceded in death by his parents; two nephews, Mark and Kevin Crawford; and a sister-in-law, Patsy Crawford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a church or charity of your choice; or to Rockbridge Church of God or Woodcrest Chapel in Columbia, MO.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com