Kirby Sharron Crawford, a man of boundless generosity, energy, courage, and love, went home to be with the Lord and Jean on Friday, March 17, 2017. The visitation for this great man will be at Waller Funeral Home on Saturday, March 25, at 9:30 a.m. The service will be at the Waller Funeral Home Chapel at 11 a.m., with interment following at Shipp Cemetery.

Kirby was my daddy. He was born in Chicago on June 2, 1924, the son of Rubye and AC Crawford. Dad graduated from Taylor High School in 1942. He served valiantly in World War II, firing big guns as part of the 807th Tank Destroyer Battalion in Patton’s Third Army. When he came home to Oxford, he met the love of his life and my wonderful mother, Jean. They were happily married from 1950 until Momma went home to Heaven two weeks ago.

As far as I was concerned, Dad could do it all.  He taught me how to ride a bike, drive a stick, fire a gun, play poker, love the outdoors, and respect all animals, especially his bird dogs. He took me quail hunting.  He built my playhouse. He fixed my cars. His patience was endless. My dad had a big heart and a big garden and grew the best vegetables.  He generously and happily shared his bounty with friends and took great pleasure in seeing the smiles of those who benefited from his green thumb. He, along with a group of friends, founded and built College Hill Academy, and was proud of the education I received there. Dad didn’t miss any sporting event; in fact, he built much of the sports fields on which we played.

He impacted the lives of my children, Rebecca, Kirby, Barry, and Crawford, in ways that will manifest in their lives for many years. He took them to his garden, told them tall tales, and bought them candy. I hope most of all that they will remember Dad’s great sense of humor and the fact that his love for each of them gave him the most pleasure of all.

I will miss Daddy, as will my husband, Bob, and all of our children. His nephews, Bob, Gary, and Jim Crawford, and niece, Diana Webb, will have many great memories of “Unc.” Holly Peeples and Gerry Gebhard will remember him as a man who loved them almost as much as he loved me.  Many nieces and nephews enjoyed his fun-loving nature and will miss him as well. I want to thank Dr. Jackey Turner, whose unfailing care gave Dad extra years to spend with Mom.  Louise Vassar, always faithful to my parents, will grieve the loss of a dear friend.

The greatest thing I learned from Daddy was how to love. He loved my mom until the very end.  It was that great love that took him home last week. Sixty-six years was not enough.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Crawford’s memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 924 Van Buren Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.

For additional information or to sign an online guestbook, visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.