Sammy J. Crawford
Lewis & Gillum Funeral Homes
202 Maple Ave., Oak Hill, Ohio 45656
(p) 740-682-6696
(f) 740-682-7862
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Sammy J. Crawford, 82, of Oak Hill, Ohio, passed away on August 6, 2023. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Sam was born August 6, 1941, in Woodsfield, Ohio, the son of the late Mary Alice and Delbert “Doc” Crawford. He graduated in 1959 from Sandy Valley High School, in Magnolia, Ohio. He served in the United States Air Force before attending Kent State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
Sam had a successful career with Ohio State University Extension as a Community Development District Specialist, where he was recognized nationally for his research and teaching on Retention and Expansion of local businesses. He retired from Ohio State in 1995 and went on to serve as the Executive Director of the Southeast Ohio Regional Council. He served on the Oak Hill Village Water Board, the Margaret Ann Pool and Park Board, as Oak Hill Village Clerk, and was a member of the Oak Hill Lion’s Club. He was also the founding member of the Medina County Toastmaster’s Club.
Sam is survived by his wife of 54 years, Deborah Park Crawford; two children, Jo (Matt) Williams, of Wheelersburg, Ohio and Christian (Jenni) Crawford, of Hilliard, Ohio; four grandchildren: Gracie and Garrett Williams and Carley and Lanie Crawford; two sisters Sally Combs and Kay Rine; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Lucian Crawford and Herb Crawford, and a sister, Peggy Moore.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 12th, 2023, at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Oak Hill. The family will hold a private graveside service at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, www.michaeljfox.org, or the Jackson County Humane Society.
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