Theodore Andrew Crawford

Col. Theodore (Ted) Andrew Crawford, US Army (Ret.), Passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 13, 2015. Col. Crawford was born December 18, 1933 in Hinton West Virginia to the late Everett Garfield And Naomi Elizabeth (Dandridge) Crawford. In addition to his parents, his wife Doris Crawford and his brother Everett Crawford, preceded him in death.

Ted was fortunate to grow up in Hinton, West Virginia which was a small town of 5000 with strong black leadership, dedicated to education, spiritual guidance and hardworking families that could foresee a better future for their children.

Ted entered West Virginia State College in 1951, and Graduated with a BS degree in Math in 1955. While in college he became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. As an ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate, he was commissioned in the Regular Army, as a 2nd Lieutenant. Immediately following his graduation he embarked on a 30 year military career, attaining the grade of Colonel. Ted served a combat tour in Vietnam, and commanded a high alert Hawk Missile Battalion in Korea. Ted graduated from the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Ted successfully completed a graduate level Missile Defense course, and earned a Masters Degree in in Business from Central Michigan University. Ted also served 4 years on the Department of the Army Staff at the Pentagon.

Subsequent to Ted’s military career, he was involved in various business endeavors; real estate investments, operated a business in Washington, DC for 2 years and was manager of the Red Cross office at Ft Meade, MD.

Col. Crawford leaves to cherish his memory three children, Glenn (and wife Karen) Crawford, Lynda Crawford (and husband Chris) Sheppard, and Steve (and wife Jennifer) Crawford. Five adoring grandchildren Nicole Crawford , Evan Crawford , Dylan Crawford , Langston Sheppard , and Naomi Sheppard .

Col. Crawford’s family will receive friends on Monday, August 24, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. when services will be held at the Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151. A reception will immediately follow the service

Interment with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Col. Crawford’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, by visiting http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.aspx

Celebrating A Beautiful Life

Colonel Theodore Andrew Crawford, U.S. Army (Ret.) passed away peacefully August 13, 2015 after a short illness. Colonel Crawford was born December 18, 1933 to the late Everett Garfield and Elizabeth (Dandridge) Crawford. In addition to his parents, his wife, Doris Bates Crawford and his brother Everett Crawford preceded him in death.

Theodore A. Crawford (Tee or Ted), was born and raised in Hinton, West Virginia and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1951 and West Virginia State College in 1955. His father and mother, Everett and Naomi, were both graduates of West Virginia Collegiate Institute, later named West Virginia State College in 1929. His grandfather graduated from the same institution in the 1890s when it was named West Virginia Colored Institute.

Ted and Doris Bates married in Seattle, Washington, where Ted was stationed in Ft. Lawton. They raised three children Glenn, Lynda, and Steve. They traveled from Ft. Sill, Oklahoma to El Paso, Texas (Ft. Bliss) to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas to White Sands, New Mexico, finally ending up in the Washington, D.C. area residing in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Ted graduated from West Virginia State College with a BS degree in math in 1955. While in college he became a member of the Kappa Alpha PSI Fraternity. As a ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate, he was commissioned in the Regular Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. Immediately following his graduation he embarked on a thirty year military career, obtaining the grade of Colonel. Ted served a combat tour in Viet Nam, and commanded a high alert Hawk Missile Battalion in Korea. Ted graduated from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He completed a graduate level Missile Defense Course and earned a Master Degree in Business from Central Michigan University. Ted also served four years in the Department of the Army Staff at the Pentagon.

Subsequent to Ted's military career, he was involved in various business endeavors; real estate investments, operated a business in Washington, D.C. for two years, and was manager of the Red Cross office in Ft. Meade, Maryland.

Ted was fortunate to grow up in Hinton, West Virginia, a small town of 5,000 with a five percent black population. This town possessed a strong black leadership that was dedicated to education, spiritual guidance, and hard working families that could foresee a better future for their children.

Our dad is among a generation of men who can be commended for their sacrifice, perseverance, and determination. These men stood strong amidst the many obstacles that were put before them at a very difficult time in our American history. They overcame and succeeded with a quiet resilience and grace, not bringing much attention to their amazing accomplishments. Dad was the best example of what one needed not only to survive but to thrive and to reach great heights with his indomitable spirit and calm demeanor.

Three key factors molded Dad into the man that he would become; Christian upbringing, education, and a supportive/nurturing family. The Crawford family had a strong belief in Jesus Christ. Much of their lives were centered around the Camon Baptist Church. Education was upheld with the highest regard in the family. This standard was established with Ted's grandfather, George Roscoe Conklin Crawford who graduated from West Virginia Colored Institute in the 1890s. Imagine that 1890! Ted always acknowledged the love and nurturing his parents, Naomi and Everett gave to him. He continued to share that with his own family, instilling those qualities and values that he obtained from his upbringing in the small town of Hinton, West Virginia.

Dad's most treasured hope for us was to secure an education that would enable us to have a prosperous and well-rounded life. Glenn, completed college at Arizona State University and was founder and vice president of a national information technology consulting firm. Currently he is a financial advisor with Taylor Insurance and Financial Services. Lynda graduated from Howard University Medical School and practices Dermatology in Bowie, Maryland. Steve graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in business and has had a consistent career in sales with a large firm in Northern Virginia.

Ted was a great problem solver You could come to him with a problem and he was quick to get involved and would find the best solution to benefit you. He was a great provider, allowing all of his children to be who they wanted to be, encouraging and helping them to find their chosen path and fulfill their dreams. He found great pleasure in helping needy causes. Ted was always available to lend a helping hand. Friendship was golden to Dad. He cherished and maintained close friendships with people that were very special to him for many decades. He was a loving Dad, and we knew we were the center of his life.

Dad held close to his heart those that passed before him, Dad (Everett), Mother (Naomi), wife (Doris), brother (Everett), cousin (Dewitt), dear sweet Aunt Maude, and beloved friend/brother Stymie Carter and wife (Queenie) and others.

Colonel Crawford is survived by his loving children, Glenn Crawford (Karen), Lynda Crawford Sheppard (Christopher), and Steve Crawford (Jennifer), five grandchildren, Nicole Crawford, Evan Crawford, Dylan Crawford, Langston Sheppard, and Naomi Sheppard. Also surviving are nephew Allan Cason Crawford, and sister in law Margaret Cason, along with many cousins and close friends.

We love our Dad dearly, and are so thankful for his sacrifice to our family. We so appreciate the guidance, wisdom, and love he has left with us.

Rest Well in God's Loving Arms Dad.

“Dear Lord, in the autumn of my life I thank you for all of my many blessings. First I thank you for my parents that taught me the fundamental values of life and gave me the opportunity to live a successful life”. —Dad’s Note