David Robert Crawford's Obituary
David Robert Crawford, 61, of Winston-Salem and Mooresville, NC, died peacefully on Saturday, August 27, 2016, at his home in Mooresville. Dave graduated from Pinckneyville Community High School in 1972. He excelled as an athlete, earning varsity letters in basketball, golf, cross country, and track and winning the Perry County Club Golf Championship at the age of 19. A self-proclaimed "jack-of-all-trades...(master of none)," Dave was also the top trumpet player in the band, and developed a special relationship with his band director, Mr. Maloney. After playing basketball for one year at Southeast Missouri State, Dave transferred to the University of Illinois. He joined Alpha Delta Phi fraternity and came to treasure his time in Champaign-Urbana. The friends he made there remained some of his closest and most cherished. His enthusiasm for sports never faded, as he regularly played basketball, golf, and jogged, rooting on his favorite teams - the Illinois Fighting Illini, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, and Northwestern Wildcats. In 1980, Dave graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law and became a member of the North Carolina State Bar and the 21st Judicial District Bar. He soon met the love of his life, Debbie. They fell in love and were married in 1986. Eventually, she began to work in his office. Dave then started his own law firm as a sole practitioner, and for the next 30 years they operated a self-described "mom-and-pop" law firm. Dave was the definition of a fierce, zealous advocate for the clients he served. He treated them with dignity and respect. His tireless work ethic improved many lives, and his dedication was an inspiration to those around him. Dave was a personal, loyal champion to clients and friends. He leaves behind a legacy of doing things the right way for the right reasons. Gregarious and genuine, Dave was a man who could talk to anyone, and invested in people. He never forgot a name or face. Whether you were a colleague outside the courthouse, an acquaintance walking through the grocery store, or a friend of his son's hanging out in his kitchen, no one could escape Dave's charisma. He could always be counted on for a lively discussion or a hilarious story. He combined confidence, caring, selflessness, humor, genuine interest, self-deprecation, and authenticity in a way that is rarely seen. Above all, David was a devoted husband and father. He constantly reminded his family how much he loved them, and comforted and consoled them in times of hardship. Dave and Debbie spent nearly every waking moment together. Dave never missed one of his son Rob's basketball games, plays, or band concerts, and no man took more pride in his son. His values rubbed off on Debbie and Rob, and made them better people. His favorite moments with his family included taking leisurely drives around the neighborhood, attending sporting events, watching movies, going on boat rides, eating dinner out, and simply spending quiet time at home talking with them. Dave was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. He held a deep faith in God, and he led his life by the teachings of Jesus Christ. A beloved husband, father and brother, David is survived by his wife of 30 years, Deborah Cupp Crawford, son, Robert Joseph Crawford II, sister, Janet Crawford Evans, and sister, Nancy Crawford Bigham. He was the son of the late Robert Joseph Crawford of Pinckneyville, IL, and Joann Elaine Gutridge Crawford of Lexington, KY. North Carolina funeral services were held at Centenary United Methodist Church, Winston-Salem, NC on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. In Pinckneyville, IL, a visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church, Pinckneyville, IL, on Friday, September 2, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. with a funeral service following at the church at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be in I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Pinckneyville, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Brenner Children's Hospital, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157. Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL is in charge of arrangements.
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