Beloved Little Brother
Dennis Jay Crawford, 61, died on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018 in the San Juan Islands of Friday Harbor, Washington. He suffered with a severe leg infection and succumbed to his lengthy struggle with advanced COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Dennis was born in Evansville, Indiana on Aug. 25, 1956 to his late parents, Paul and Jane Crawford.
His only sibling, a sister, Paula, was born in 1954.
His father’s 30-year military career took the family to many military bases around the United States and the globe, including France, Germany (with visits to Italy, Switzerland and Austria), and Panama.
The family enjoyed the many opportunities to see the world, but they all loved the three years they lived in Panama, and subsequently settled in San Francisco by the Bay.
Dennis loved the water, the beach, sounds of waves crashing on the shore, sunshine, and the calmness that came with it.
Following a four-year stint in the military himself, where he loved helping fellow soldiers by making prosthetics for arms and legs, Dennis lived in Grants Pass, Oregon, and eventually discovered the beautiful islands of San Juan.
He fell in love with Friday Harbor and its amazing beauty and calm. He made a life there as a stone mason and had his own business, Crawford’s Masonry. He loved rocks and the geography of the land. Working with his hands and creating in stone was his passion.
Dennis is survived by his sister Paula and husband Dan Thiewes of Ashburn, Virginia; their son Jake Thiewes of Alexandria, Virginia; his cousin Dottie and husband Jerry Johnson of Grants Pass, Oregon.
Paula, Dan and Jake will hold a memorial service for Dennis the week of April 9 in Friday Harbor (exact date and location to be announced). They will share a video of his life, followed by a reception inviting any and all of the many people on the island that knew Dennis, who helped take care of Dennis, and who have assisted Paula and her family during this difficult loss.
Dennis had a sensitive heart and a caring nature that was not always obvious. He could be gruff and definitely stubborn, but underneath it all, he was a sweetheart and was loved very, very much. We will miss him every day.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, please make donations to SJICF.org (San Juan Island Community Foundation) and go to the box “Donate to Fund or Project” and click on “Select a Fund or Project.” Please select the last item “SJI Family Resource Changing Lives Fund”. After clicking the “Donate” button you can “add special instructions” of:
In memory of Dennis Crawford.
Dennis would want us to pay it forward.
He cared, and so do we…
