Obituary: Raymond "Junior" Crawford

Raymond “Junior” Crawford, age 84, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away Friday, May 20, 2016. He was born July 11, 1931, in Winter Garden. He was predeceased by his father, Raymond Crawford, and mother, Artielou Casteel. He was a proud Korean War veteran of the Army.

He was an Ocoee City Commissioner for seven years, as well as an active lifetime member of the American Legion Post 109, Florida Elks Club 2165 and VFW Post 4305. He was also a member of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Ocoee (now known as Quest Church).

He was married to Margaret Crawford for 64 years and had four children, Teresa Crawford (Tommy), Susan Sullivan, Gary Crawford (Dana) and Greg Crawford (deceased). He also had eight grandchildren, Jason Vandergrift (Jennifer), Jennifer Perrodin (Corey), Kendall Sein, Julie Crawford, Nathan Crawford (deceased), Brian Crawford (Bree), Melissa Crawford and Allison Petruccelli (Rick). There are also five great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Crawford, Ryan Stalvey, Reagan Vandergrift, Hailey Vandergrift and Bella Crawford.

In 1967, he opened a Gulf Station on McKey Street in downtown Ocoee. He later started Crawford Tire Service. In 1980, Junior retired from the business and his son, Gary, took it over. 

During his retirement he enjoyed his antique tractor collection and building cabins in Georgia. He had many friends everywhere he went and spent a lot of time at his favorite restaurant, the Ocoee Café, with the Coffee Club. They would meet for breakfast at 6 a.m. and come back for lunch at noon.

The Crawford family would like to thank West Orange County for their continued support.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Quest Church, 9600 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761; or Mike Conley Cornerstone Hospice House, 2100 Oakley-Seaver Drive, Clermont, FL 34711.

Services: Viewing will be held at Loomis Funeral Home, 420 W. Main St., Apopka, on Monday, May 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church (Quest Church) 1450 Citrus Oaks Ave., Gotha, on Tuesday, May 24, at 10:30 a.m.

Crawford Tire will be closed on Tuesday, May 24, for the services.