James Monroe Crawford

James Monroe Crawford Well-known educator and coach, James Monroe Crawford passed away Monday, March 23, 2015, after a short illness. He was born on January 16, 1930, in Bisbee, AZ and raised in Pomerene. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Norman, Clyde and DG. Crawford graduated from Benson Union High School in 1948, and then attended Eastern Arizona College, on a track scholarship. He earned his B.A. from Arizona State University, where he was a hurdler. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army in Germany. He went on to earn his M.Ed. degree from Northern Arizona University. His teaching career began in 1957 in Ft. Thomas, AZ. In 1959, he accepted a teaching position in St. David, AZ. As a teacher, principal, and coach, Crawford spent decades dedicated to the community, where he taught, coached, and mentored countless students. Known as "Coach" to many, he made a name for himself as one of the winningest baseball coaches in Arizona history. He was named the National High School Baseball Coach of the Year three times and National High School Boys' Coach of the Year in 2001. As a member of the National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, he led the Tigers to a pair of state titles in football and a record 15 state titles in baseball. He retired from St. David Schools in 1994, but continued as coach, his legacy lives on through the memories he created, lessons he taught, and examples of humility, generosity, and teamwork he set. Crawford also had a career in politics, as a Benson City Councilman from 1978-1991, and 1995-2003, and served as mayor of Benson from 1997-2001. Crawford is survived by his wife of 30 years, Kathleen (Battaglia) and four children, Karin Haile (Victor), Susan Crawford, Lisa Vuyovich and Scott Kilbury (Teresa) and four grandchildren. A Viewing will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at RICHARDSON'S MORTUARY in Benson, AZ. An additional Viewing will be held Friday, April 3, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. at the LDS Stake Center in Pomerene, AZ, followed by Funeral Services at 11:00 a.m.