Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1942
DIED
2020
Gary Crawford Obituary
Gary was born March 3, 1942 in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Kenneth Crawford and Ruth Mayer Crawford. When he was 8, the family moved to Beavercreek, Ohio, where he attended Beavercreek Schools. He was class president three of his four years in high school and played tenor sax in the band. He graduated in 1959 and attended The Ohio State University. When he graduated, he taught high school English for two years, then returned to graduate school. He left school to join the Peace Corps and went to the island of Yap in Western Micronesia, where he taught elementary English for three years. After his Peace Corps service, he became a language coordinator for Peace Corps training and lived and taught in many island countries in the Western Pacific. In 1977 he returned to the United States and lived in San Diego.
In 1979 he started working at the Foreign Service Institute in Washington, DC, developing innovative techniques for teaching language to diplomatic personnel. He married Susan Cracknell Dailey in 1979 and they lived in Arlington VA. He retired as Associate Dean of the institute in 1997 and he and Susan moved to Fairbank. They opened Crawfords Nautical Books, a bookstore specializing in all things involving the water.
Gary became very interested in waterman culture and local history and spent years doing research, interviewing watermen, and writing books and articles on local history. He was a regular contributor to the Tidewater Times and for many years published the Island Flyer, a local newsletter. He was an active volunteer at the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center (PWEC).
Gary is survived by his wife Susan and her children Chris Dailey (Susan and children Wade and Gwendolyn) and Jennifer Dailey Cooke (Brian), and by his brother Brian Crawford (Linda and son Nathan).
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Any gifts in his memory should be made to the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, 6129 Tilghman Island Rd, Tilghman, MD 21671.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Crawford
Jeanie Roush Wolfe
September 28, 2020
Several Students in Kettering Fairmont High Schools have written to us with fond memories of the excellent teaching of Mr. Crawford. He is being remembered in our Class of 1965 fall news letter. As a conection, I am a co chair of the class reunion of 1965, My father Chester A. Roush had hired Mr. Crawford to teach in Kettering before all the other numerous fine accomplishments in his life. JR
Timothy D. Adams, Sr.
August 16, 2020
When I was a junior at Fairmont West High School in Kettering, Ohio, I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Crawford as my English teacher. He was fresh out of Ohio University and teaching for the very first time. I'm 73 now but I can actually still remember the very first day in his class...he knocked our socks off with his vitality and fresh ideas. I can still recall many of the things he said during that year especially concerning racism, class distinction, the importance of precise language, his love for science fiction, the way he showed respect for us by always addressing us as Mr. and Miss. I could go on. He was Mr. Cool and he drove a Triumph TR-4 and that made him double cool. He was possibly the best teacher I ever had and the impact he had on me and the truths I learned from him have had a positive effect on my life all these many years . I'm sorry to hear of his passing but thrilled to learn he led such an exciting, rewarding, and meaningful life. I couldn't have scripted it better.
Henry & Helen Leonard
April 20, 2020
Gary was a wonderful guy.. always interested in hearing details of life on Tilghman. His style of writing was friendly and neighborly. Even when reading about weight loss; it was as if he was sitting in your living room. His history lessons are keepsakes. I know, because I have kept about 50 of his articles to share with my grandchildren.
Thomas Carter
March 26, 2020
I had the privilege of working with Gary in two Peace Corps training programs in Palau, Micronesia. Gary was possibly the finest language coordinator and teacher that I have known and worked with. Far more importantly, he was an individual with extraordinary ability to understand and respect diverse cultures and to inspire that respect in others. He led by virtue of the respect he commanded by the way he lived his life. He was far too young to leave this world and I know there will be a great many people who will feel his loss. He was a rare person of integrity, ability and love of his fellow man.
Tom Carter
Harvey Helfand
March 26, 2020
Sorry to hear this news. Gary ran our Peace Corps training programs in Palau in the 70s and I worked closely with him, always impressed with his multiple talents: educator, guitarist, magician, cartoonist.
Tondalaya Gillespie
March 26, 2020
We knew Gary when we were on staff in Micronesia, he worked in our language and cross-cultural programs in Micronesia and then in Malaysia. He was a very dedicated and caring man, we all had good times together.
Cindy Cass
March 13, 2020
Bud and I are so sorry to hear about Gary. He had so much knowledge about Tilghman and it's history and such a way with words. He will be so missed. I am truly sorry that we didn't get to play more card games with you.
Jan oberst
March 13, 2020
So very sorry to hear about Gary. He was a legend in his own time. What a great historian and writer. He was the anchor in Fairbanks. Thoughts and prayers to you, Susan and your family.
Dick Cooper
March 12, 2020
Gary was a great storyteller. His love for the people of Tilghman Island and their history was reflected in his writing. He rescued stories from the past and made them come alive for another generation.
Elizabeth Tefke
March 10, 2020
I'm so very sad to hear this news. My mom was from Fairbank; we would visit with Gary at the store anytime we were in town. We will miss his great conversations and knowledge.
Jeff Messing
March 8, 2020
Very sorry. Will miss Gary and his monthly insights into shore history. He was, for me, a significant maritime reading resource.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
Make a Donation
in Gary Crawford's name
Memorial Events
for Gary Crawford
How to support Gary's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Gary Crawford's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
