Melvin Crawford

Melvin grew up in rural Central Texas during the Great Depression. He graduated from Manor High School in 1941. After high school, he was hired by Underwood Corporation but then enlisted in the Navy in April of 1942. He served in the South Pacific during World War II as an aviation electronic technician and reached the rank of petty officer first class. He was discharged from the Navy in December of 1945.

Upon returning to Central Texas, he had a chance meeting with Dorothy Jean Norman, whom he had known in elementary school. A week later they were engaged and were married on Melvin's birthday, August 7, 1946. Melvin and Jean had 2 sons, Larry and Alan.

After the Navy, Melvin went back to work for Underwood Corporation and worked in Austin, San Antonio and Houston. He returned with his family to Austin and went to work for Austin Typewriter Company in 1962. In December of 1968, he and his wife started Crawford Business Machines and ran that business until his retirement in 1992.

Melvin was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved traveling, woodworking and fishing. Mel was at home in his gardens, both flower and vegetable. He was a dedicated Christian and served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon and trustee. Dad was a part of the "Greatest Generation."

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, William Rufus and Stella Crawford, sisters Gertrude, Doris, Geogia, Nina, brother Bill, and his wife of 59 years, Jean Crawford. He is survived by his brother Norman Crawford of Bastrop, his sister Wanda Ragland of Austin, his son Larry Crawford and his wife Diane of Austin, his son Alan Crawford and his wife Norene of Leander, his grandson Andrew Crawford and his wife Amber of Leander, his grandson Zachary Crawford of Austin, his grandson Philip Crawford of Cedar Park, and his great-grandsons Demetrius and Isaiah and by his nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 26th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, North Lamar location. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 27, 2014 at Hyde Park Christian Church, 610 E. 45th Street. Interment will follow at Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville.