In Memory

Johnny Crawford

THE PARIS NEWS, June 11, 2019: “Coach Johnny Crawford passed away on June 9, 2019, surrounded by his wonderful family and a few close friends. Johnny was born on July 23, 1940, in Clarksville, Texas. His parents were Frank and Bernice Crawford. He graduated from Clarksville High School. Johnny attended Paris Junior College and East Texas State University where he played football. After college, Johnny joined the Army National Guard and was stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. After his stint in the National Guard, he started his coaching and teaching career. His first football coaching job was in Denison. He later went on to coach at Mount Pleasant, Paris High School, Highland Park, North Lamar High School, Travis Middle School and back to North Lamar High School, where he finished his career. He taught drivers education to many area students for more than 40 years. His life was about people, his family, his friends, his students, co-workers. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, B. J. Crawford; and sister, Jacline Campbell. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sharon Crawford; and his children, Johnny Pat and wife, Jill, Sandy, Brooke and husband, R. J., Greg and wife, Kelley, and Drew and wife, Angela. He had 11 grandchildren, Rebekah, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Connor and Will, Wiley, Nolen, Lauren, Cord, Alivia and Alex. He also had three great-grandchildren. He was a member of Lamar Avenue Church of Christ for more than 20 years, East Paris Baptist Church and His Place Fellowship. Services will be on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at East Paris Baptist Church, with Bro. John Cannon, Bro. Mike Fortenberry and Glen Martin officiating. Burial will follow at East Post Oak Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home. Casket bearers will be Mike Long, Bobby Anthony, Freddy Daughtrey, Bill Brown, R.J. Collins, Ben Crawford, Cord Crawford and Nolen Crawford. Memorials can be made to St. Jude, Paris Education Foundation, or North Lamar Education Foundation. Online condolences may be made at fry-gibbs.com.”