Michael Rae Crawford

Michael Rae “Mike” Crawford was born to Milton and Muriel (Parkison) Crawford on September 20, 1941 in Broken Bow, NE. He attended school in Seneca and Thedford before graduating from Wood Lake High School with the class of 1959 and continued his education at Chadron State College. Mike married the former Carla Simonson cherishing nearly 47 years of marriage. He began his professional career in the car industry as a mechanic, parts manager and a dealership manager. Those jobs took him from Martin, SD to Gordon, Alliance, Scottsbluff and eventually landing in Chadron, NE. Mike and Tom Cummings formed Cummings - Crawford Auction Service when he had a midlife crisis and changed careers to become a real estate agent and broker in 1993. At the time of Mike’s death he owned and operated Sandstone Real Estate in Chadron.

He enjoyed life and had a variety of interests and hobbies. Some of his best times were hunting with friends, collecting and shooting guns, car racing, piloting his own plane and teaching flying lessons, and telling jokes. Mike was an avid reader and continued to learn every day. The one thing he was unable to master was the invention of the internet TV. This continued to baffle and exasperate him until the very end.

Mike and his family appreciate the too many to name caregivers that helped make him comfortable over the years.

Survivors include his wife, Carla of Chadron, daughter Cindy (Karl) Riley of Kearney, son Jeff (Michelle) of Gunbarrel, TX, son Roger Walter of Chadron, daughter Melanie Petrie of Lincoln, brother David (Dessa) of Battle Ground, WA, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and the Coffee Guys.

Mike was proceeded in death by his parents, in laws June and Bob Morris, and son in law Gordon Petrie.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Chadron Rescue.

 A memorial has been established for Chadron Rescue Unit. Donations may be sent to: 

Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337