Crawford Keith

Crawford Keith, 85, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2008. He was born on June 2, 1923, in Alexander City, Ala. He was the son of Thomas Leslie Keith and Jewell Crawford Keith. Crawford is survived by his wife of 58 years, Martha Virginia Sherrod Keith; sons, Thomas S. Keith and John C. Keith; sister, Dorothy K. Burton; grandchildren, Adam M. Keith and Allison A. Keith; nephews, Col. Charles "Chuck" Douglas Keith, of Talladega, Ala., Ron Leslie Keith, and G. Thomas Burton, of Raleigh, N.C.; and nieces, Rebecca J. Burton, of Germantown, Md., and M. Ellen Keith Jones, of Pell City, Ala. He was predeceased by his brother, Douglas Keith; and his daughter, Mary Virginia Keith. Crawford was an Officer in the United States Army during the Second World War and served tours of duty in the Philippines, Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. In the Korean conflict he was a survivor of the battle of Pork Chop Hill. During his military service he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit, among other decorations. He retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel after 24 years of service. He received a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama in 1950, between World War II and Korea. After retiring from the army in 1969 Crawford embarked on a second career as District Engineer for the Virginia State Fire Marshall, leading the Southwestern Virginia District office in Roanoke. He retired from the fire marshal's office in 1988 after 19 years. Crawford was a loving husband, father, uncle, and son. Crawford was a devoted member of the Church of Christ serving with the congregation at Westside Church of Christ in Salem. He had a great sense of humor and was always ready to help those in need. Golf was another great love of Crawford's. He enjoyed countless rounds with great friends primarily at Blue Hills Golf Club in Roanoke, where he served on the board of directors for several years. A viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2008, at Oakey's South Chapel located on Brambleton Ave. S.W., Roanoke. Funeral services will be held noon on Saturday, December 6, 2008, at Westside Church of Christ, 1705 Starview Drive, Salem with Minister Eddy Gilpin presiding. Interment will follow at Fair View Cemetery, 3300 Melrose Ave., N.W. Roanoke. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Westside Church of Christ in Crawford's memory.