Celebrating the life of
James Sidney Crawford
Passed away on April 26, 2019
James Sidney Crawford, 63, died April 26, 2019 under the care of Hospice Savannah surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, England to June Mathews Crawford and the late Jimmie Watts Crawford. Returning to America, his parents eventually settled in New Carlisle, Ohio, where he enjoyed the quintessential small-town adolescence of America’s heartland in the ‘60’s.
After graduating from Tecumseh High School, he attended Wittenberg University where he created lifelong friends with his fellow students and his beloved Phi Psi fraternity brothers. In between pottery and fencing classes, he attended enough core classes to graduate with a political science degree. He then pursued a master’s degree in international business at Thunderbird in Glendale, Arizona; he chose a marketing emphasis with Chinese as his required foreign language. “Why Chinese? If I put that on a resume, who can check?”
He spent the next 38 years trading chemical fertilizer around the world while honing his gift of gab and relationship building. His greatest gift to the industry was believing in young people entering the business and mentoring them to their potential.
After moving to the Landings in 1992, he spent as much time as he could on the golf course. While he became a low handicapper, all his golf buddies will attest that he was not the most environmentally friendly golfer as he regularly damaged trees and the marsh holds quite a number of his least favorite clubs.
Jim’s love and knowledge of music was so encyclopedic that he envisioned a post retirement career as a Rock Music History professor pontificating on his favorite bands like the Allman Brothers, Little Feat, The Grateful Dead, The Outlaws and so many more. Travel, snow skiing, gardening and at home sommeliering with appropriate cheese pairings rounded out the remainder of his leisure hours.
He is remembered with love by his wife of 38 years, Valerie Edgemon; his mother, June Mathews Crawford of Springfield, Ohio; brothers Steve (Bridgett) Crawford of Glendale, Arizona and Randy Crawford of Baton Rouge, Louisiana,; nephews, Aaron Crawford, Christopher Edgemon, Alex Edgemon, Jonathan Edgemon; nieces Tiffany Cobb and Tammi Armstrong; all his Texas family – Connie, Tracy, Karan, Steven, & Nancy Edgemon; and all his aunts and cousins in England.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Remembrances may be made to Hospice Savannah, Inc., Wittenberg University and the American Diabetes Association.
Jim Crawdad ... rock n roll golf fine wines bad jokes , often all at the same time . One of the great characters, of which there are too few . You will be remembered JIm , and missed . Your friend, Ron Foxon
- Foxon , London ,
My condolences to the family. May you find comfort in the scripture at Revelation 21:4 where Jehovah God promises to do away with death forever.
- Niecy, www.jw.org,
I received a call out of the blue one day from a guy who introduced himself as Jim Crawford of Agrico. That call was the prelude to a friendship of over 30 years. A friendship that saw us drink in bars all over the world and eat in restaurants that only an expense account can justify. Jim was an innately generous man and he liked his fine wines, which could be sometimes wasted on me. But when ever I baulked at the price list he would just call me his "cheap mate Kev" and order them anyway. But even he became concerned at one dinner a few of us had in Beijing. After the third bottle was drained a friend arrived and pointed out the $50 bottles he had been ordering were actually $500 bottles and we had miscalculated the exchange rate. No wonder the waiters were looking after us! For many years Jim spent his birthday at my house in London as he transited to Delhi and every year I would round up friends and strangers and we would celebrate Big Jim’s Birthday Bash at my place. My abiding memory of those birthdays is me waking up to a house that had been trashed and the sight of Jim climbing into a limo for the airport, leaving me to clear up the mess. Along with so many others I’ll miss you Jim. Thanks for the memories and thanks for looking after me Ralph and Bruce as we started our careers along with you. God Bless Your Cheap Mate Kev
- Kevin Hill, London,
Valerie, we will always keep loving and fond memories of Jim in our hearts. A very special time for us was when you and Jim stayed at our home in Athens, Ga. during a hurricane evacuation from Savannah. Jim kept us laughing the entire time. We love you and Jim, and we know that Jim is in God‘s loving hands. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and Jim’s family. Love you, Glenda and Jackie
- Jackie & Glenda Anderson, Savannah, Ga
A great loss for all of us. So many anecdotes lived together, here in Argentina, Savannah, Punta del Este. I will never forget you my friend. He tought my daughter how to eat steamed oysters at Willene´s place, when she was only 7 years old. Valerie, a strong woman and a lovely companion for Jim. A big hug to the Crawford family from Cecilia, Stephanie and Richard Ker. Rest in peace.
- Richard Ker, Buenos Aires , Argentina
Dear Crawford family, I'm sending many condolences and many prayers for you all. I remember Jim so fondly as a wonderful neighbor to the Schiltz's. May you have peace. I'm so very sorry for your loss.
- Anne Kaz, Menomonee Falls, WI
I met Jim around 1971 through my great Friend and his Brother, Randy. His Mother and Father were the two best parents I have ever met. Jim was raised right; thus he lived and loved life. On 9 Apr of this year, he suggested we take a vacation...kid friendly. That was the last transmission we shared. He was a giver; caring and a great man. I toast you Jim...you did it your way! Raider out
- Don Webb, Las Vegas, NV
I have lost a good friend, one who lived life to the fullest. R.I.P., Jimmie
- DAVE REYNHOUT, SAVANNAH, GA
Jim and I met in 1984, as young lads ready to trade fertilizer around the world and play as much golf, and drink and dine as exquisitely as possible. Our Friendship continued to bond with each year under our belt, but our golfing handicaps never came down, although we thought they did!!! I have lost a Dear Friend, whom I will meet again someday, to continue the Small Fabrications about our scores and the marvelous profit margins we made on each fertilizer trade!!!! Much Love, Bruce
- Bruce O’Connor , Tulsa , OK
He was a truly special man who touched the lives of so many and will never be forgotten x sending thoughts and prayers to all of his family and friends and this difficult time x
- Neil Roberts, Colchester, Essex
I met Jim in December 1994 when I interviewed for a job with ConAgra. Little did I know it would be the start of a 22 year working relationship. We worked hard and he taught me many things about the fertilizer shipping business. Had lots of fun, made some money. He was a master salesman. Valerie has become such a great friend and the two of them were wonderful to me. We had some excellent parties, with loud music and lots of toasts. Here's to you Jim, my friend, rest well. To his family I send prayers and love.
- Willene Stone , Bloomingdale, Ga
Jim and Valerie have been my friends, my family really for almost thirty years. Jim was like a big brother and I the sometimes funny, sometimes nagging younger sister. No matter the occasion, a good time would be had. Jim knew how not to sweat the small stuff... Put a boat in the river, Jim in charge of the music of course, and enjoy the day together. He tried his best to teach me about wine, I do know I sampled quite a few very nice bottles. I am so lucky to have known him. I will miss his jokes, he only had three right ? I miss my friend. ?
- Kelli Weis, Savannah, GA
Jim Crawdad ... rock n roll golf fine wines bad jokes , often all at the same time . One of the great characters, of which there are too few . You will be remembered JIm , and missed . Your friend, Ron Foxon
- Foxon , London ,
My condolences to the family. May you find comfort in the scripture at Revelation 21:4 where Jehovah God promises to do away with death forever.
- Niecy, www.jw.org,
I received a call out of the blue one day from a guy who introduced himself as Jim Crawford of Agrico. That call was the prelude to a friendship of over 30 years. A friendship that saw us drink in bars all over the world and eat in restaurants that only an expense account can justify. Jim was an innately generous man and he liked his fine wines, which could be sometimes wasted on me. But when ever I baulked at the price list he would just call me his "cheap mate Kev" and order them anyway. But even he became concerned at one dinner a few of us had in Beijing. After the third bottle was drained a friend arrived and pointed out the $50 bottles he had been ordering were actually $500 bottles and we had miscalculated the exchange rate. No wonder the waiters were looking after us! For many years Jim spent his birthday at my house in London as he transited to Delhi and every year I would round up friends and strangers and we would celebrate Big Jim’s Birthday Bash at my place. My abiding memory of those birthdays is me waking up to a house that had been trashed and the sight of Jim climbing into a limo for the airport, leaving me to clear up the mess. Along with so many others I’ll miss you Jim. Thanks for the memories and thanks for looking after me Ralph and Bruce as we started our careers along with you. God Bless Your Cheap Mate Kev
- Kevin Hill, London,
Valerie, we will always keep loving and fond memories of Jim in our hearts. A very special time for us was when you and Jim stayed at our home in Athens, Ga. during a hurricane evacuation from Savannah. Jim kept us laughing the entire time. We love you and Jim, and we know that Jim is in God‘s loving hands. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and Jim’s family. Love you, Glenda and Jackie
- Jackie & Glenda Anderson, Savannah, Ga
A great loss for all of us. So many anecdotes lived together, here in Argentina, Savannah, Punta del Este. I will never forget you my friend. He tought my daughter how to eat steamed oysters at Willene´s place, when she was only 7 years old. Valerie, a strong woman and a lovely companion for Jim. A big hug to the Crawford family from Cecilia, Stephanie and Richard Ker. Rest in peace.
- Richard Ker, Buenos Aires , Argentina
Dear Crawford family, I'm sending many condolences and many prayers for you all. I remember Jim so fondly as a wonderful neighbor to the Schiltz's. May you have peace. I'm so very sorry for your loss.
- Anne Kaz, Menomonee Falls, WI
I met Jim around 1971 through my great Friend and his Brother, Randy. His Mother and Father were the two best parents I have ever met. Jim was raised right; thus he lived and loved life. On 9 Apr of this year, he suggested we take a vacation...kid friendly. That was the last transmission we shared. He was a giver; caring and a great man. I toast you Jim...you did it your way! Raider out
- Don Webb, Las Vegas, NV
I have lost a good friend, one who lived life to the fullest. R.I.P., Jimmie
- DAVE REYNHOUT, SAVANNAH, GA
Jim and I met in 1984, as young lads ready to trade fertilizer around the world and play as much golf, and drink and dine as exquisitely as possible. Our Friendship continued to bond with each year under our belt, but our golfing handicaps never came down, although we thought they did!!! I have lost a Dear Friend, whom I will meet again someday, to continue the Small Fabrications about our scores and the marvelous profit margins we made on each fertilizer trade!!!! Much Love, Bruce
- Bruce O’Connor , Tulsa , OK
He was a truly special man who touched the lives of so many and will never be forgotten x sending thoughts and prayers to all of his family and friends and this difficult time x
- Neil Roberts, Colchester, Essex
I met Jim in December 1994 when I interviewed for a job with ConAgra. Little did I know it would be the start of a 22 year working relationship. We worked hard and he taught me many things about the fertilizer shipping business. Had lots of fun, made some money. He was a master salesman. Valerie has become such a great friend and the two of them were wonderful to me. We had some excellent parties, with loud music and lots of toasts. Here's to you Jim, my friend, rest well. To his family I send prayers and love.
- Willene Stone , Bloomingdale, Ga
Jim and Valerie have been my friends, my family really for almost thirty years. Jim was like a big brother and I the sometimes funny, sometimes nagging younger sister. No matter the occasion, a good time would be had. Jim knew how not to sweat the small stuff... Put a boat in the river, Jim in charge of the music of course, and enjoy the day together. He tried his best to teach me about wine, I do know I sampled quite a few very nice bottles. I am so lucky to have known him. I will miss his jokes, he only had three right ? I miss my friend. ?
- Kelli Weis, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
