Robert Hope Crawford Jr.

1922 - 2017

Robert Hope Crawford, Jr. died August 23, 2017 at the age of 95 surrounded by his family.

He was born February 26, 1922 in Rutherfordton, NC, the son of Dr. Robert H. Crawford and Sara Tanner Crawford. He attended public school at Rutherfordton Elementary and the next five years at The Asheville School graduating in 1940. He graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1946 following a two year interruption during World War II. While at UNC he was a member of S.A.E. Fraternity and The Order of Gimghoul.

In 1946 he was married to May French Taylor of Wilmington who survives him together with their three children: Robert H. Crawford, III of Winston-Salem, NC, Mrs. David Brewer and Mrs. W. Townsend Harris of Charlotte and their spouses, Terry, David, and Townsend. There are 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren all of whom make up the loving family which has enjoyed many happy family gatherings over the years.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1942 while in college and after reporting for active duty was given a medical discharge due to a minor physical problem stemming from infancy. He then volunteered into the American Field Service and served as an ambulance driver attached to the British 8th Army in North Africa and then in Italy. His unit was among the first to land on the Anzio Beachhead and then they followed into Northern Italy and the end of the Italian Campaign.

His business career was primarily with American and Efird Mills, retiring in 1984 as Vice President of sales in the yarn division. Following retirement from A&E together with three partners formed a commission sales company representing several textile yarn manufacturers and operated successfully for a number of years.

Mr. Crawford was a lifelong member of Christ Episcopal Church and taught Sunday School there for a number of years. He was a member of The Piedmont Club of Charlotte. An ardent golfer he belonged to the Charlotte Country Club, Grandfather Golf and Country Club, and The Linville Golf Club. He was the first Mayor of Grandfather Golf and Country Club when the club became incorporated.

He had homes at Grandfather and then at Linville where with family and friends he spent many happy months each summer. Gardening was another favorite hobby and he devoted a lot of time to maintaining gardens both in Charlotte and the mountains.

He was married for 70 years to his devoted wife May during which time they traveled across the US several times as well as Europe and the Far East. Welcoming friends to their home was always a pleasure and included many people over the years.

The family is so thankful and appreciative to the wonderful and caring caregivers that helped Mr. Crawford during his last journey. They are: Lametsha Crawford, Yolanda Holt, Jolena Williams, Patricia Stewart, and Clara McIver. The family also wants to thank Jacquelyn Dwelle McGinnis with Hospice for her unfailing support to all of us during this difficult time.

There will be a private family service at Christ Episcopal Church Chapel on Saturday. Memorials for Mr. Crawford can made to The Linville Foundation, P.O. Box 99, Linville, NC 28646; or to Hospice and Palliative Care, 1420 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.