Raymond "Chuck" C. Crawford

Raymond (Chuck) Crawford went to heaven on March 11, 2021 after living 25 years  with Parkinson Disease and having a brief battle with Covid.

Chuck was born on June 12, 1944 to Raymond and Lillian (Peterson) Crawford in Plainfield, Wi.  He graduated from Tri-County High School in 1962.  On June 12, 1965 he married Judy (Mau) Crawford and they settled in Almond where they raised their two children. 

Chuck was gifted with an incredible mechanical ability that was evident even as a young child.  He could fix nearly everything...clocks, cars, tractors, machines and was an inventor of many things.  He used that gift throughout his life.  He started his worklife working as a mechanic at the truck stop in Almond, Gullikson Motors, Scaffidi Motors and Pagel Construction.

Later he took on the position of maintenance supervisor at Basic American Foods (American Potato) in Plover. It was in this position that he learned about Schaeffer's Specialized Lubricants.  The salesperson that called on him insisted that he would make a darn good salesperson and pretty much wouldn't take no for an answer.  Chuck left his position at American Potato and started his career with Schaeffer Lubricants where he continued to work until his health required him to retire in 2009. Over those 20+ years working for Schaeffer's he was able to turn strangers into friends and that made his job seem like less of a job. One of the very first customers he called on was Steve Pennau.  Chuck could not have asked for a more faithful best friend than Steve.  They spent nearly every Tuesday together for over 20 years.  It is because of Steve that Chuck accepted Jesus Christ into his life. Chuck was a founding member of the Waushara Community Church in Wautoma. Although he may not have been able to physically attend church as often as he once had, his faith was strong.

Chuck willingly shared his knowledge with so many. It was not uncommon for a stranger or someone from an area business to show up on a Saturday with a project they had been working on that they could not get working or didn't know how to complete. His career with Schaeffer's afforded him the ability to work from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It was during this time that he ran his own automotive and lubrication equipment repair business.  He was also able to use those at home days to mentor over 25 students from area schools.

He is survived by his wife Judy Crawford, son James Crawford Circle Pines MN, daughter Christy (Ray) Crawford-Wysocki Almond, grandchildren Eliezer, Canaan and Ilille Crawford and Emily Wysocki. He is also survived by his sister Judy (Gordon) Fillar, nieces Marcia Griswold, Marcella Carlton, Melinda Trebiatowski, Marilyn Beggs, and his Aunt Betty Meyer. He is further survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father in law Harold and Betty Mau, sister Wanda Yonke, brother Larry Crawford and niece Kimberly Fillar.

Thank you to our mother who tirelessly gave of herself so that our father could remain living in his home.  She has demonstrated what real love is on a daily basis and we are truly blessed.

A very special thank goes to his caregivers Tracy Turnblom, Helen Hutkowski, Stacey Bender, Sherry Hughes and Micki Bowden. They were all very dedicated to giving Chuck the best care possible and we are blessed that they were able to provide help and friendship.

Also thank you to friends Tom Weekly, Stan Hall, Gary Rzentkowski, Ted and Pat Cychosz, John Beggs, Walt and Linda Billman, Betty Daberkow and Lad Hintz who continued to visit Chuck throughout his illness. Your visits (and cookies) meant so much to him.

It saddens the family, but no services will be held at this time due to Covid related concerns.  In lieu of flowers, a scholarship memorial fund is being established to help students seeking education in the automotive, heavy equipment and industrial maintenance programs. If Chuck has touched your life and you wish to contribute, please direct those memorials to Christy Crawford Po Box 103 Almond, Wi 54909.

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