Kenneth Carter Crawford

Kenneth was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 10, 1938 to Kenneth Crawford, Sr. and Essie Crawford (Crouch). Kenneth was raised in the Catholic faith and was baptized at a very young age. Kenneth had five (5) siblings: Florence (“Flo”) Garvin Deakyne; Dolores (“Dodie”) Anderson; The Honorable State Representative William (“Bill”) Crawford; Frederick (“Frac”) Crawford; and Tary Adams. Kenneth and his siblings were raised in the first public housing project built in Indianapolis, Lockefield Gardens, and Kenneth had many warm memories and stories of his time growing up there.

Kenneth met the love of his life, Frances Earline Crawford (Hickman) on a blind date arranged by Fran’s brother-in-law, Charles Muldrow in 1960. The blind date was an overwhelming success as Kenneth and Fran married on December 29, 1962 in Indianapolis, and seamlessly combined the Crawford-Hickman families for more than six decades. Kenneth and Fran would have celebrated their sixty-second (62nd) wedding anniversary this December.

Kenneth shared three children with Fran: Dwayne (“Tony”), Jeffrey, and Stefanie. Kenneth was a wonderful, loving and engaged Father. He loved to have a good time with his children. Most days Kenneth was bike riding, sledding, playing badminton, kickball, volleyball, or playing catch with his children. Kenneth, an agile athlete himself, played all sports as a youth with the Lockefield Police Athletic League (PAL), and won the Indianapolis City-wide Ping Pong Championship. As a young adult, he played basketball on the Indy Dust Bowl circuit and men’s fast pitch softball in leagues all around the city. He would teach all of his children all sports, with emphasis on baseball/softball - as one of the first “bucket dads” he taught his daughter the art of softball pitching in the backyard. When they came inside Kenneth would play chess, checkers, dominoes, card and board games. Kenneth instilled in his children the importance of an education, hard work, exercising the privilege to vote, paying yourself first and spending your money wisely.

Kenneth started at Attucks High School but transferred to Shortridge High School to become part of one of the school’s first integrated classes, graduating in 1956. Upon graduation Kenneth served his country by entering the Air Force in 1956 and worked as a weather specialist, deployed in Korea. Upon his honorable discharge, Kenneth held a job at the US Post Office, and later pursued training at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facility in Oklahoma City as an Air Traffic Controller. His first assignment after graduating FAA school was in Fort Wayne IN, and after three years he transferred to Indianapolis where he retired in 1996 after a long and storied career. Soon he became restless, and embarked on another career as a courier with MidAmerica, retiring in January of 2020. Kenneth was a hardworking man with a strong work ethic and financial savvy. He was known for his integrity, being practical and living a humble, commonsense life.

Kenneth was also caring, kind, and generous. Kenneth was rarely angry, never raised his voice and did not curse. He was young in body, mind, and spirit. Kenneth was an avid chess player, and an accomplished tennis player. He played tennis for hours every Tuesday and chess every Saturday until he was admitted into the hospital. He enjoyed playing any game with a ball with his family. He was passionate about road travelling and purchased a 1999 GMC Savannah van to travel the US with his family, and to visit extended family. Trusting his AAA TripTik and map skills over any modern navigation system, he usually made it to his destination uneventfully, but he also spent a fair amount of time lost before eventually making peace with Siri. He loved to explore the city of Indianapolis, even if it was just to “go for a ride” around Monument Circle on a Saturday night with his wife and family. He greatly enjoyed watching and loudly rooting for his favorite sports teams, including the Colts, Pacers, Purdue and any team playing against IU.

He was the quintessential family man and carried his fatherly qualities into one of his most important roles, that of grandfather. He loved supporting his grandchildren. Often showing up for grandparent’s day, recitals, birthdays, graduations and softball games. He loved watching old westerns. He spent many weekends working long hours in his yard, finding himself atop high ladders with electric saws, walking on the roof of his home, and walking on ice to shovel his driveway (all of which risky behaviors greatly displeased his wife). He was also one of the last known flip phone users. He and his wife Fran often hosted many events in their home with their extended family over the holidays. Ken was always ready for a board game during this time.

Kenneth was preceded in heaven by his sisters, Florence and Dolores; brothers William, Frederick and Tary; and his son Jeffrey, who passed away just seventeen (17) days before Kenneth.

Kenneth is survived by his partner in life, wife Frances Crawford, his son and daughter in law Dwayne and Wanda Crawford; his daughter in law Gloria Crawford (Jeffrey); and his daughter and son in law Stefanie and Richard Moss. Kenneth is also survived by eight grandchildren: Morgan, Megan, Miles, Sabrina, Makayla, Zachary, Sydney and Chloe. He leaves a loyal companion and dog, Bo, who he mildly tolerated. He is also survived by a host of family, friends, former co-workers, chess mates, tennis partners, and neighbors.