CRAWFORD, Gerald E. (1928-2017)

CRAWFORD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 1/29/2019 at 00:52:48

Gerald E. Crawford
(March 3, 1928 - December 24, 2017)

Gerald E. "Jerry" Crawford, 89, of Des Moines, died Sunday, December 24, 2017, of a cerebral hemorrhage caused by a minor traffic accident.
A lifelong resident of Iowa, Jerry was born on March 3, 1928. He graduated from high school in Martensdale, Iowa, and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Edith Annett, who passed away from cancer in 1997. After her death, Jerry found love again and married Wynona Sherman. Jerry and Wynona had a great time together and loved traveling widely. Wynona took exceptional care of Jerry in his later years as he battled Lewy Body Dementia.
After graduating from high school, Jerry farmed before moving into the meat business. Ultimately, he found his calling in specialty advertising. He won multiple awards as a top salesman for the Vernon Company of Newton, Iowa.
Some of his favorite pastimes were camping in one of his many RVs, dancing, car and horse racing, spending time with family and friends, and visiting the Iowa State Fair. Jerry was proud of his family and especially the fact that his children and grandchildren all graduated from college.
Jerry was preceded in death by his first wife Mary, his parents, Jim and Lucille Crawford and his siblings (Clarence, Josephine, Kenneth, Charlotte, Keith, and Marjorie). He is survived by his wife Wynona, his son Jerry (Linda) Crawford and their three children, Katelyn, Erin, and Conor; his daughter Jackie Crawford (Bill Friedricks) and their children Sarah and Emily; his son Jim (Mary) Crawford and their children John, Jim, and Jenny; and his daughter Janet Crawford. Jerry's six great-grandchildren were a tremendous joy.
Jerry was just as close to the Annetts and Wynona's family as he was to the entire Crawford Clan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation at P.O. Box 57130, 3000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa, 50317 or The Wounded Warrior Project. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/