Lawrence Douglas Crawford

Memorial services for Lawrence Crawford, 67, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Fri., July 11, 2014, at Pier Funeral Home in Lusk, Wyo. Lawrence Douglas Crawford was born on February 1, 1947 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Dorothy and Robert Crawford. Larry graduated from high school in Pierre, South Dakota. In 1970, he finished one year at Black Hills State College in Spearfish, South Dakota.

In 1964, Larry joined the United States Marine Corps, thereby fulfilling a dream he had since he was a kindergarten student. During his service, he served two tours in Vietnam and earned several medals and commendations. Among one of the greatest honors bestowed upon Larry was the Purple Heart, a medal that he received after being injured in battle.

One of Larry's crowning achievements was the completion of the Wyoming Police Academy. He put his law enforcement knowledge to good use as a correctional officer and a deputy sheriff. Law enforcement was a passion for Larry and he served in the field with the utmost honor and integrity.

On February 2, 1988, Larry married Laurie Lee Maddox, the women with whom he would spend nearly 27 unimaginably happy years.

Larry was a lifetime member of the NRA, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, AARP, the Wounded Warriors Project, and American Legion #1 in Van Tassel and Lusk, Wyoming.

When he expressed his vision for a fulfilled life, Larry enumerated three goals:

1. Become a Marine.

2. Fight overseas for the freedom of the country he loved.

3. Find and marry the love of his life.

Admirably, Larry tangibly realized all of these goals with peerless proficiency. According to his own criteria, he lived a truly fulfilling life.

Larry passed away peacefully on June 30, 2014 at 9 a.m. after struggling with a series of health problems. He died in the arms of his wife, who loved him more than anyone in the world. Larry and Laurie shared the deepest of loves in this life and continue to keep that passion alive beyond this world.

Larry is survived by his sister, Connie, and several cousins, aunts, and uncles. He was preceded in death by his younger sister, Esther, and both of his parents.

A quiet man by nature, Larry was not especially outgoing or talkative. However, he boldly held the banner high for the downtrodden and never tolerated bullies. Larry expressed an affinity for the outdoors and occasionally embarked on recreational hunting and fishing expeditions. While house cleaning wasn't quite his cup of tea, Larry boasted some impressive culinary skills. He could cook anything, anywhere at any time.

Larry exhibited a natural kinship with animals, showering unconditional love upon his dogs and feeding neighborhood strays. His generosity and kindness always shined through. Larry had an exceptional sense of empathy and was always cognizant of the pain of others.

Larry will be missed by all who knew and loved him. This holds especially true for his spouse, who was undeniably his soulmate. May God bless him on his journey. All donations can be given to his wife, who, in turn, will pass the gifts along to the Hot Springs Nursing Auxiliary at the VA.

The love of Larry and Laurie can be best encapsulated in the winsome words of their favorite poem:

This I will remember when the rest of days are through.

The finest thing I ever did was simply loving you.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records