Aaron Matthew Crawford

In his 32 years, Aaron touched many lives and many hearts. His creative side first became evident as a young child. His artistic abilities surfaced in the pictures he would draw and his imagination was boundless. That talent would later blossom into the skills he would later use as a gifted photographer. He especially liked to photograph objects of nature and cloud formations. Aaron developed a passion for working with wood and made everything from sculptures with hidden pockets and outside benches made of tree trunks and sandstone. He created many memorable works. Over the years he showed a talent for creating handmade lampwork glass beads and he also worked a great deal with stone. Many of his unique and personalized works can be found in the homes and gardens around the community. He reveled in the wonders of nature and it was reflected in his art.

Aaron had a passion for life and enjoyed being around people. Along with his father, he designed and sandblasted many monuments for grieving families. He considered what he did to be a ministry for God. He was a good listener and most of all he cherished his family.

We will miss Aaron’s laugh, infectious smile and his love of a good story. His optimistic outlook was always evident. We will miss watching him play with his dogs and the care he always showed towards them. We grieve Aaron’s loss deeply and appreciate all those who have gathered around to make this most difficult time bearable.

Aaron was a 1999 graduate of Ellison High School and a four year member of the Screaming Eagles Ellison Band. He played the saxophone. He danced with the Ellison Emeralds as an “Our Guy” and had the opportunity to perform with them in the rotunda of the Texas State Capitol. He attended St. Edwards University in Austin. Aaron was member of the Maxdale 4H for many years. He participated in the Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) and went on several REACH mission trips to help those in other communities and states.

Aaron was preceded in death by his brother, Jason on October 31, 1996 and by his paternal grandfather, Bill Crawford, maternal grandparents, Tom and Jacque Hardaway, maternal great-grandparents, Roy J. and Genie Smith and maternal grandfather, Ed Newton.

Aaron leaves behind to mourn his passing his father and mother, David and Royce Ann Crawford of Killeen, and paternal grandmother, Bobbie Crawford of Spring Hill, FL; maternal grandmother, Ellen Newton of Alvarado, TX; Aunts and Uncles: Val and Gary Coddington of Spring Hill, FL, Don & Pam Mikles of Belton, Clark Jones of Spring Hill, FL., Edward “Skip” and Lennie Hardaway of FL, Beth and Roger Morgan of Dallas, Debbie and David Renfrew of PA, Tom and Ruth Hardaway of Missouri and Mark and Ann Hardaway of Ohio; and cousins, Kyle, Kelly, Rowdy, Gage, Aubrey, Ashley, Amiee, Anna, Becca, John, Thomas, Robbie, Mark, Sara, Christopher, Matthew, Kellie, Jennifer, Thomas, Nick.

Funeral services for Aaron M. Crawford will be 11:00 am Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church of Killeen. Rev. Janice Jones will officiate. Burial will follow in Maxdale Cemetery. A time of visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 pm at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen. Pallbearers Kyle Mikles, Rowdy Zett, Stephen Mach, Will Arpe, Stacy Affholter,

Kevin Newton, Dennis Riley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to the Aaron Crawford Youth Scholarship Fund of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 2800 Trimmier, Killeen, TX 76542 or to American Family Radio at www.afafoundation.net.

Words of comfort or remembrances may be shared with the family at www.CrawfordBowersFuneralHome.com