James Douglas Crawford (October 03, 1959 - April 13, 2023)

In loving memory of
James Douglas Crawford
  • October 03, 1959
  • -
  • April 13, 2023

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Obituary

James Douglas Crawford of Parrish, FL passed away on April 13, 2023.  He is survived by his daughter, Lauren Crawford of Englewood, CO, wife, Kimberly (Kropff) of Parrish, FL, sister, Diana Webb (David) of Burnet, TX, brother, Robert Crawford of Frisco, TX, brother, Gary Crawford (Emily) of Englewood, FL, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Alton and Marian Crawford (Laughlin), and sister-in-law Roberta Crawford.  Jimmy was the youngest of his siblings, born in Corpus Christi TX on October 3, 1959, on his mother’s 43rd birthday.

Jim’s family moved around during his early years, from Corpus Christi, TX, to Beaumont, TX, to Lubbock, TX, to Des Moines, IA, until finally settling in Raytown, MO where he would go on to finish his primary education.  He was a varsity basketball player for the Raytown South Cardinals and was a starting player for the 1977 team when they won the Missouri State Men’s High School Basketball Championship.  Jim was well loved in high school, his friends called him ‘Wally’, and he would often consider those times the best years of his life.  He went on to attend college at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO where he was an active member in the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity.  He was affectionately given the nickname ‘Big Bird’  because of his 6’5” frame.  The name would stick with him for life.  He would cherish those years in Warrensburg and kept in touch with so many fraternity brothers, often attending the annual float trip and frequently making the effort to visit those who lived out of state.  He graduated CMSU in 1982 and moved back to Corpus Christi, TX to be closer to the family that lived in the area.  He would eventually move back to Lee’s Summit, MO in 1985 where he and Peggy Crawford (Hill) would welcome his only child, daughter, Lauren Crawford on April 11, 1986.  Jim would go on to live for several years in Scottsdale, AZ where, again, his warm nature and bright personality brought him lasting friendships and memories.  He moved back to the Kansas City area in 1999, eventually settling in Lee’s Summit where he would meet his wife, Kimberly Crawford, in the fall of 2007.  Jim and Kim wed in February of 2009 and enjoyed an active life in Kansas City, spending most weekends on their boat at Truman Lake. They constantly hosted friends and family at Truman Lake during the summer, hunted morel mushrooms in the spring, and caught fish all year round.  They moved to Parrish, FL in 2014 and became the neighborhood hub for fish fries, crawfish boils, and other gatherings.  Jim worked for Kärcher North America, formerly Windsor, for 32 years; he was an exemplary salesman who often overachieved goals and was revered as a coworker.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman, over the years he hunted deer, duck, elk, geese, pheasant, turkey, and morels.  He particularly loved the annual South Dakota pheasant hunting trip where he was the ‘group cook.’  He also loved spending time in Maryville, MO, hunting for deer with longtime friends every fall.  Jim’s greatest passion was fishing, he owned a boat from the time he was 19 until he passed, and he spent most of his free time fishing wherever the tides would take him.  If you knew him, then you likely either fished with him, ate the fish he caught, or laughed alongside him at the fishing stories he told.

Jim’s family was the most important thing in his life, and he valued the time that he was able to spend with them.  He loved visiting his family in Texas, visiting the family Ranch in Leakey, TX and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico were always highlights in the story of his life.  His loving relationship with his siblings was a constant in his life, he always made the effort to visit, no matter how far away he lived. Family get togethers would consist of debates, fishing poles, bait, and a chance to reminisce and catch up on everyone’s lives.  He loved his daughter, Lauren, and was always happy to brag to friends and family about how proud he was of her.  His adoring wife Kim took care of him in his final years, and he loved having a partner to share similar hobbies and passions.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 6th from 2-5pm at Llywelyn’s Pub, 301 SE Douglas St Lee’s Summit, MO.  An additional gathering will be arranged in Florida with details forthcoming.


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  1. Brandon Robinson says:
    08 May 2023
    Jim was the first person I met when starting with Windsor/Karcher in 2005, we became fast friends as he did with everyone. Over the next few years he would mentor me and help with anything I ever asked for, he was a great friend and co-worker! When traveling we would always get together and have a good time, I will miss seeing him at the meetings and hearing his great stories as he was a great teller of tales!
    Fair Winds and Following Seas my good man, you will be dearly missed!

    Brandon Robinson

  2. Brandon Robinson lit a candle:
    08 May 2023
    Lit since May 8, 2023 at 5:41:32 AM

  3. Patty Shull says:
    06 May 2023
    Jim and I met at an AKL party in the fall of 1980. I was terribly shy back then and awkward. Jim showed me how to have fun, fish for blue Gil and drink more beer than I thought I could. I remember getting drunk at a Togo party at the In-between Bar in Warrensburg. Crazy times we had together.

    We dated for over a year and eventually got promised to each other. I became a little sister to his fraternity and nominated as their yearbook queen candidate. I have a great photo of us in the Homecoming parade and will post it soon. Jim drove me through the streets of Warrensburg
    in a silver corvette.

    The last time we spoke, he told me how proud and happy he was to be married to Kim. He said she was the love of his life! That made my heart happy.

    Thank you Jim for showing me how to lighten up, have fun and the joys of getting up at 5am to go fishing.

    Your happy face and playful spirit will live on.

    Patty Shull

  4. Rudy May says:
    26 Apr 2023
    To my AKL fraternity Brother, float trip partner from our college days , and good friend, Jim “Big Bird” Crawford. I will never forget our years together at CMSU. You were one of a kind and I will miss you sorely. Until we meet again, RIP big fella.
    Rudy “Rude-1” May

  5. Margaret brill lit a candle:
    25 Apr 2023
    Lit since April 25, 2023 at 4:54:36 PM

  6. Aaron Herrera says:
    24 Apr 2023
    Jim was always a great person and mentor to me, I’ve been with Karcher for 7 years and had the pleasure to work with Jim for the last 3 years, always willing to help in business, joke, talk about boats and have a good time, Godspeed brother, you will be missed!

  7. Scottye Crawford Lee says:
    22 Apr 2023
    Having Jim for a first cousin, along with Bobby and Gary, means the world to me. Jimmy was funny, kind, and never too busy to spend time with his only girl cousin. I remember Uncle Al making Jim drive most of the way home from Corpus Christi to Oxford, Mississippi, when he was 12. By the time we got home, Jim would have had you believe he was Mario Andretti. I’m so glad that Bob and I were able to spend a lovely evening with Jimmy and Kim just a few short years ago. Still the same old sweetheart with a million dollar smile. Rest easy , Jim. We’re going to miss you.

  8. Jeff Schwartz lit a candle:
    21 Apr 2023
    Lit since April 21, 2023 at 4:26:57 PM

  9. Jeff Schwartz lit a candle:
    21 Apr 2023
    Lit since April 21, 2023 at 4:26:17 PM

  10. Jeff Schwartz says:
    21 Apr 2023
    Jim and I have worked together for just shy of 30 years. We were never in the same territory but became great friends and worked closely together. When he moved to Florida with Kim we spent much more time together.
    Jim was the salt of the earth type of guy. He will be terribly missed by those of us who were lucky enough to have crossed his path.
    God bless you brother

  11. Donna Michael Bellows says:
    21 Apr 2023
    Dearest Kim: I wish I had met Jim. He sounds like a terrific person. I bet a bucket of catfish, he would have been good buddies with great grandpa Michael sharing fishing trips and stories.

    Love you cousin!
    Donna

  12. David Rivera says:
    21 Apr 2023
    I met Jim over 20 years ago. Even though we were half a country away and didn’t talk often, when we did, it was like the miles apart and the time since our last conversation all seemed to fade away with a couple of stories and a quick laugh. Jim always made time to chat, ask how I was doing, and talk about the “good old days”. You will be missed my friend!!

  13. Thomas Lee says:
    21 Apr 2023
    I met Jim and Kim while moving up to Iowa with Michael Crawford. I got to stay with them over the weekend on my move-up. They introduced me to crappie fishing, and my god, that was a fantastic time. Jim and Kim were so hospitable to me when I first met Michael's family—treated me as if I knew them for years! Jim, I will sincerely miss you and those memories are engrained into my brain forever. I hope you fishing wherever you are and you'll be missed dearly...

  14. Reg Steele says:
    21 Apr 2023
    I have been with Karcher for 4 years, I was extremely fortunate to work with Jim. He was one the mentors who took me under his wing and taught me the equipment business. Jim was always accessible and never to busy to answer your question. Mentors/friends like Jim don't come around often. Jim you are greatly missed my friend!

  15. Keith Cave says:
    21 Apr 2023
    I only worked with Jim for 5 years but he was a great co-worker and person. He will be sorely missed.

  16. Michael Allen says:
    21 Apr 2023
    You left us way too soon my brother. I will cherish all the many great memories I have of you. Tight lines Big Bird.

  17. Jeff Kirby says:
    21 Apr 2023
    Jim and I have worked together for over 26 years and he's become a very good friend over the years. He had an incredible ability to make a connection with anyone he met. He and I shared some very fun times together and always loved to reminisce and laugh. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. God speed my friend

  18. Elizabeth Crawford lit a candle:
    21 Apr 2023
    Lit since April 21, 2023 at 4:31:47 AM

  19. Cheryl Foster says:
    20 Apr 2023
    Thanks for teaching me how to catch crappie. You were an amazing friend and will be deeply missed! ❤️

  20. Cheryl Foster says:
    20 Apr 2023
    Thanks for showing me how to catch crappie! You are an amazing friend and you will be dearly missed. ❤️

  21. Bob Brown says:
    20 Apr 2023
    I first met Jim Crawford when he came up to South Dakota pheasant hunting and I knew right away. I was going to like this guy. He was funny and he brought a lot of good ideas to the camp and just was an all-around just great to be around. He will surely be missed by all of us. Take care my friend.

  22. Bob Brown says:
    20 Apr 2023
    I first met Jim Crawford when he came up to South Dakota pheasant hunting and I knew right away. I was gonna like this guy. He brought so much more to the group and he will surely be missed. Love you man.

  23. Tim says:
    20 Apr 2023
    You provided me with memories that have lasted for 50 years. Going to Steamboat Springs for our Senior year ski trip was just one of many memories that still bring a smile to my face. Going back to junior high school and remembering getting up at O dark 30 to go crappie fishing at lake Jacomo and in more recent years at Truman lake (after you and Kim were kind enough to show Cheryl and me some of your favorite spots) I will always think of you every time I wet a hook. You will be missed dearly my friend. RIP. Love always, Tim Pickering.

  24. Ben Weddle says:
    20 Apr 2023
    You made me laugh. I enjoyed your company more than you’d ever guessed. Your wit and steadying hand will be missed on our hunts. Travel well my friend. Perhaps we’ll meet again.

  25. Tricia Harris says:
    20 Apr 2023
    Gone too soon but cheers to the years of a life well lived. Jim was a fun loving guy and everyone loved to be around him. He will be missed by many.

  26. Tricia Harris says:
    20 Apr 2023
    Gone too soon but Cheers to the years of a life well lived. He was a fun, loving guy and everyone loved to be around him. He will be missed by many.

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