L. Hall Crawford Jr.

Louis Hall Crawford, Jr., affectionately known as "Big Hall," was born on March 16, 1954, in Memphis, Tennessee. From an early age, he excelled on the ballfield, playing both football and baseball. A proud alumni of Christian Brothers High School and Memphis State University, Hall went on to build a remarkable 50-year career in the beer industry. He began as a college representative, rose through merchandising and sales, and ultimately became president and part-owner of the MillerCoors Distributor, A.S. Barboro-later BarDet-currently Ajax in Memphis. Hall's generosity was unmatched. He supported countless charities and served on the boards of organizations including the B.F. Skinner Foundation, Kiwanis Club, Windyke Country Club, and the Tennessee Malt Beverage Association. He was also a devoted supporter of the Highland Hundred. His love for the Memphis Tigers was legendary-holding season tickets to basketball and football for nearly five decades. True to his loyal spirit, he never left a game early, convinced the Tigers could always "chip away" and stage a comeback. More than anything, Hall was devoted to his family. He and his wife of nearly 50 years, Lynne, shared a love story rooted in laughter, music, and adventure. Together they traveled to countless concerts, cheered on the Tigers at hundreds of games, and stayed up late trading favorite songs long after the world had gone quiet. Lynne was his best friend and partner in everything, and the two built a life filled with joy, humor, and unwavering love. As a father, Hall's dedication to his children was extraordinary. He raised Ashley and "Little Hall" with a deep sense of pride, support, and encouragement. Whether it was coaching, cheering, mentoring or simply being a steady presence, Hall never missed an opportunity to show up. He was the kind of dad who made sure his children knew they were his greatest accomplishment and his proudest legacy. His three grandchildren became the joy of his later years. He cherished teaching his granddaughter, Carter, the game of golf, taking his grandsons, Louie and Frankie, to ballgames, and sharing his lifelong passion for sports and family traditions with all three. In his free time, Hall could often be found on the golf course at Windyke, stocking up at Kroger, Fresh Market, or Sprouts, or behind the grill, cooking and entertaining for friends and family. Above all, he loved music. With tastes ranging from Tears for Fears, Gordon Lightfoot, Boz Scaggs, Steve Winwood to The Band, music was the backdrop of his life and the heartbeat of his marriage. Hall was known for his sharp wit and his unforgettable "Hallisms." Classics like "No good deed goes unpunished," "Broke as the Ten Commandments," and "Greatest of All Time" became family lore. And his signature "A man walks into a bar…" joke-whose punchline he carried with him-will remain a mystery, much to everyone's amusement. Hall is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Lynne; daughter Ashley (Nick) Rice; son Louis Hall "Little Hall" (Alex) Crawford; granddaughter Carter Trimboli; grandsons Louie and Frankie Crawford; brothers Steve (Jean) and their children, Adam and Kerri, and Alan (Diane) Crawford; sister-in-law Betty Lambert; niece Tara (Mike) Mitchell and their children Taylor and Riley; along with many other nieces, nephews, and countless friends who became family. A Celebration of Life will be held at Windyke Country Club in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday, August 22, at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Kiwanis Club of Memphis. Hall Crawford died. Buick for sale.