Obituary for Michael Lloyd Crawford
Mike L. Crawford
On January 29, I lost my husband, soul mate, best friend and hero. His daughter lost her dad, best friend and definitely a dad who loved her very much and who was always there for her no matter what. Mike died very unexpectedly during lung transplant surgery in Oklahoma City. He had had a chronic lung disease for years, and nothing had helped him stabilize or improve even after a year long research project in Denver. A lung transplant was his only option if he wanted to return to any kind of normal life. We had great hope and expectations that this would happen, never imagining the worst outcome.
Mike found great joy in helping others and he never knew a stranger. He always enjoyed visiting with neighbors and cared so much for them. Mike was very social and enjoyed his monthly lunches with Boeing and long time friends. He loved making people laugh and amusing them with his various antics. His hobbies included woodworking, restoring furniture, music and coin collecting, He could take something quite unattractive and make it beautiful. He loved the challenge. Mike also had a very warm heart concerning animals, and cherished his past pets, Jessie and Lexie and current Yorkie, Bella.
Mike and Colleen enjoyed doing many things together including travel, gardening, movies and seeking treasures at estate sales on their weekly dates. One of his greatest joys was owning a lake house at Table Rock (Eagle Rock), Mo. where he became friends with so many wonderful people. Attending special events was especially fun. Working on projects continued at the lake site, but he also enjoyed just sitting on the deck looking out over the lake while having a beer. Boating on his pontoon and or jet skiing added to his delight. Having family and friends visit made hime so proud and happy to have such a great place to share.
Music was part of Mike’s soul. He collected LPs and 45s and rarely went without playing them daily. His Juke Box was a special treasure for him that he had restored. Music was part of our home environment and he received great joy from it. His last recorded video showed his man cave while he was singing and dancing to a very loud “Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road” which you may have heard today. This song should demonstrate Mike’s humor and fun attitude.
Mike retired from Spirit in 2010 and looked forward to good times ahead. He had previously worked at Boeing and Sears. He graduated from SE High School and Emporia State University with a Business degree.
Mike is predeceased by parents, Velma and Gerald Davey and Lloyd Crawford. Survived by the love of his life, wife of 36 years, Colleen; his ever loving and dedicated daughter, Cassie, his sister Pat Meacham of Colorado Springs, sister in-laws, Judy (Jack) Goswick, and Karen Chitwood, nephews Michael (Remy) McDonald and Jeremy McDonald, niece Dana Goswick and great nephews David Hathorn and Ambrose McDonald, and Tom Chitwood and great niece Kate Chitwood.
Memorial service to celebrate Mike’s life is Thursday, February 6 at 2 pm at Botanica, 701 N. Amidon Ave., Wichita. Please bring your memories to share. Designate memorials to Botanica or the Kansas Humane Society.
On January 29, I lost my husband, soul mate, best friend and hero. His daughter lost her dad, best friend and definitely a dad who loved her very much and who was always there for her no matter what. Mike died very unexpectedly during lung transplant surgery in Oklahoma City. He had had a chronic lung disease for years, and nothing had helped him stabilize or improve even after a year long research project in Denver. A lung transplant was his only option if he wanted to return to any kind of normal life. We had great hope and expectations that this would happen, never imagining the worst outcome.
Mike found great joy in helping others and he never knew a stranger. He always enjoyed visiting with neighbors and cared so much for them. Mike was very social and enjoyed his monthly lunches with Boeing and long time friends. He loved making people laugh and amusing them with his various antics. His hobbies included woodworking, restoring furniture, music and coin collecting, He could take something quite unattractive and make it beautiful. He loved the challenge. Mike also had a very warm heart concerning animals, and cherished his past pets, Jessie and Lexie and current Yorkie, Bella.
Mike and Colleen enjoyed doing many things together including travel, gardening, movies and seeking treasures at estate sales on their weekly dates. One of his greatest joys was owning a lake house at Table Rock (Eagle Rock), Mo. where he became friends with so many wonderful people. Attending special events was especially fun. Working on projects continued at the lake site, but he also enjoyed just sitting on the deck looking out over the lake while having a beer. Boating on his pontoon and or jet skiing added to his delight. Having family and friends visit made hime so proud and happy to have such a great place to share.
Music was part of Mike’s soul. He collected LPs and 45s and rarely went without playing them daily. His Juke Box was a special treasure for him that he had restored. Music was part of our home environment and he received great joy from it. His last recorded video showed his man cave while he was singing and dancing to a very loud “Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road” which you may have heard today. This song should demonstrate Mike’s humor and fun attitude.
Mike retired from Spirit in 2010 and looked forward to good times ahead. He had previously worked at Boeing and Sears. He graduated from SE High School and Emporia State University with a Business degree.
Mike is predeceased by parents, Velma and Gerald Davey and Lloyd Crawford. Survived by the love of his life, wife of 36 years, Colleen; his ever loving and dedicated daughter, Cassie, his sister Pat Meacham of Colorado Springs, sister in-laws, Judy (Jack) Goswick, and Karen Chitwood, nephews Michael (Remy) McDonald and Jeremy McDonald, niece Dana Goswick and great nephews David Hathorn and Ambrose McDonald, and Tom Chitwood and great niece Kate Chitwood.
Memorial service to celebrate Mike’s life is Thursday, February 6 at 2 pm at Botanica, 701 N. Amidon Ave., Wichita. Please bring your memories to share. Designate memorials to Botanica or the Kansas Humane Society.