Rayburn Crawford

Rayburn Crawford, age 86, of Gatesville passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2016. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 8, 2016 at the First Baptist Church in Gatesville. Burial will follow at Turnersville Cemetery. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. in the church parlor. Rayburn was born October 4, 1929, in Gatesville, Texas to Vernie O. and Mamie Chaney Crawford. He attended school at White Hall, then to Gatesville School District; graduating in 1948. He lettered in football while in high school. On October 2, 1948, he married Marjorie Russell at Turnersville Baptist Church. They resided their entire married life together in Gatesville. Rayburn served in the U.S. Army for one year and served in the active reserve for 23 years. He worked at Fort Hood for 40 years as a civilian Purchasing Contracting Officer. For a time, he both rode and purchased all of the horses for the 1st Cavalry Horse Platoon; who made him an Honorary Member. He also raised registered paint horses for 35 years and was a proud Member of the American Paint Horse Association. Rayburn also was a 32nd Degree Mason. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Gatesville since 1953. He served on various church committees and was an usher for many years. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1997. For the last three years, Rayburn has lived at the Welcome Program at Coryell Memorial Hospital where he has made many friends. He loved the staff there who took very good care of him and he will be missed by all there. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Hollis Crawford and Otis Crawford; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Grady Russell. Rayburn is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marjorie Crawford; his son Bryan Keith Crawford and wife, Kathy; step-granddaughters, Stephanie Wright and husband, Derek and Allison Stokes and husband, Brett; and step-great-grandchildren, Brayden, Jaxon and Makayla Wright, and Noah Stokes. Pallbearers will be Kevin DeOrnellas, Allen Place, Richard Sweaney, Scott Meharg, Gary Kafer, Joe Crawford and Vance Stephens. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Kimbrough, Glenn Deavers, Robert Grisham, Keith Steward, Dale White, Duane Mooney, and the Lloyd Mitchell Sunday School Class. Those desiring to donate to charities may give to National Parkinson’s Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue, Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494 or to the First Baptist Church, 912 E. Main Street, Gatesville, TX 76528.