Funeral service for George Jacoby Crawford, 79, Lawrence will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lawrence. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. He passed away Friday, June 3, 2016 at his home.

George was born May 10, 1937 in Athens, Ohio the son of Theodore Mansfield and Marvella Jacoby Crawford. Raised in the Hocking Hills of southeastern Ohio, he excelled at singing and majored in voice at Ohio University. He taught choir and elementary school in St. Marys, West Virginia and Colgate Ohio, respectively. His talent for leadership noted by his superiors, George was offered positions as principal of Fort Harmer Elementary School and Marietta High School in Marietta, Ohio. He was vice principal of Athens High School and received his masters of Education at Ohio University. Offered a doctoral fellowship to Ohio State University, he received his PhD and was offered a position at KU in 1972, and headed for places West where he was a professor of Educational Administration at the University of Kansas from 1972 until he retired on May 16, 2011. George took a one year unpaid sabbatical from KU to serve as principal of Centennial Elementary, an experience he found rejuvenating. An advisor in the administration of northeast Kansas schools, he was fond of his affiliation with J.C. Harmon high school in Kansas City. He was National President of the International Society for Educational Planning from 1990-1991. A member of Trinity Lutheran Church, George served on the Lawrence School Board, the Citizens Review Board for Douglas County juvenile court cases, and was a former member of the Lawrence Civic Choir, in which capacity he and his wife Beth travelled to and performed in Poland.

He married Maribeth Kirchhoff on August 4, 1979 in Lawrence, KS. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two daughters, Susan Crawford of Kansas City, KS; Carolyn Crawford Chase and husband, Kelly of Virginia Beach, VA; one son, George A. Crawford and wife, Traci of Poolesville, MD; one sister, Jessie Essex of Athens, Ohio; six grandchildren, Kaitlin Crawford, Heather Crawford, Kasey Clemens; Travis Chase, Alec Chase and Bailey Chase. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Angela Nell Adkins and his sister, Jean McAfee.

The family will greet friends from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World from Jun. 5 to Jun. 6, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for George Crawford

17 Entries

Bob Beach

December 26, 2017

Beth,

My tardy condolences. It was with deep sadness that I learned of Georges passing. We became friends when engaged in the fine work of the International Society for Educational Planning where his efforts strengthened that organization and set an example of true leadership for all of our members. He was one of the good ones, forward thinking, welcoming, and supportive. The times you, George, Ron Lindahl and I shared over meals have been, and are, deeply valued. His humor and deep laugh were infectious. When ISEPs older members are made aware that George is gone, they will reflect with warmth the time we all shared.

My deepest sympathy,

Bob Beach

Clara Williams-Ledford

June 9, 2016

I remember George singing "We Three Kings Of Orient Are" at one of our school Christmas programs at Rome-Canaan High School in Ohio. I was in grade school and he was probably a junior or senior. I can close my eyes and see him standing on the stage in our gym and hear him singing. What a voice. I will never forget him singing that song - he was awesome.

June 8, 2016

Condolences to the family, remembering as childhood friends, Schoolmates,Neighbor, he will be missed. Sergeant Major Wayne J Davis Retired

June 8, 2016

I remember Carolyn from High School...remember when her mother passed away...my thoughts are with her and her family. Carol Brown

Mary Gordon

June 7, 2016

I was very blessed to have one of my visually impaired students attending Centennial School when Dr. Crawford served as principal. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. I am very saddened to hear of his death. What a beautiful voice he had! He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

David Scheuer

June 7, 2016

My deepest to you and your family, Beth. George and you always made me feel very welcome during my time attending Trinty. I enjoyed our conversations, and his singing was wonderful. You both have given so much to TLC and the community. I hope you are surrounded by their love and support, both now and in the future.

Jerry and Judy Pope

June 7, 2016

George was just a super person. We were enchanted with him immediately when we met many years ago. Our prayers are with you, Beth, and the children.

Cheryl & Ervin Wright II

June 7, 2016

Our condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Crawford. May his gift of leadership continue to influence and light the paths to those he lead in their educational endeavours.

Steve Woolf

June 6, 2016

My condolences to Dr. Crawford's family and friends. George made a huge impact on my life. He made me believe I could do things that I wasn't sure I could do. He was as amazing as a cheerleader as he was a professor. He even edited my book last year and brought the amazing insight that only he could bring. You will be missed and you will live on through those that you impacted here on earth.

Brian Elster

June 6, 2016

We only met last summer, but George immediately made himself a dear friend to me. His interest in current affairs, his faith, and his delight in life sparkled in all our conversations. I will miss him profoundly.

Mike George

June 6, 2016

Although I only knew George through Lawrence Civic Choir, I found him to be a gentleman and a scholar with a wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to Mary Beth and the rest of his family.

Phillip Tuwaletstiwa (Johnson)

June 6, 2016

I have know George all my life. He was our neighbor when I was a child. On my first day in school we rode the bus together and he took me to my first-grade class room. My very best to his family.

Mar Conn

June 6, 2016

My sincere condolences in your loss. I knew Dr. Crawford when I was secretary to the Dean of Education from 1975-1978. The thing that made a big impression on me was Dr. Crawford was always as respectful and warm to the secretaries as he was to the Dean! A true gentleman and wonderful person!

Wayne Burke

June 5, 2016

Dr. Crawford has helped guide and touch the future with his work with administrators. He was a guiding light and a positive influence to all who knew him.

Karen Hunt

June 5, 2016

I have know both you and George for many years through civic choir and Ku I know you will miss him dearly he was a great man. It will be hard to face the first year without him I can't say it will get easier after that but you have your friends and your family at Trinity to help you in any way all you need to do is just ask we are there for you.

Linda Aldridge

June 5, 2016

My condolences to Dr. Crawford's friends and family. He was a treasured colleague, mentor, and teacher. I will miss him.

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