Cleo Crawford

PUXICO, Mo. — Cleo Crawford, 86, of Lowndes, Missouri died Aug. 4, 2020, at the Advance Assisted Living Facility. The youngest of nine children, he was born Jan. 27, 1934, to Arch and Jettie Gream Crawford.

A lifelong resident of Wayne County, Missouri, Cleo was a veteran of the U.S. Army from 1954-1957. He went through jump school at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and later transferred to Fort Campbell, Kentucky in the 11th Airborne Division. During the Korean Conflict, Cleo was stationed in Augsberg, Germany. During his tenure in the service he made 30 plus jumps.

Returning to the states after his Army discharge he worked in St. Louis a short while but was always anxious to return to the Wappapello area and his roots. He later had his own construction company dealing in heavy equipment dirt work in the area building government ponds, clearing land, building roads and was well known in several surrounding counties and states for his work.

At the same time he was involved with and later became owner of the Holiday Hills Development, LLC selling real estate up to this time.

Cleo was proud to be a member of the Puxico Mason Lodge #596 AF & AM for 57 years.

Mr. Crawford was also proud of the position he was elected to in Wayne County as the Eastern District Commissioner for 10 years. He was instrumental in obtaining grants for projects such as building two important bridges in Wayne County. One main bridge was built over the Castor River. A second bridge was constructed to replace one below the spillway at Wappapello over the St. Francis River. This bridge carries all the traffic from Poplar Bluff to Wappapello when the highway washes out. Another important accomplishment as commissioner was working with the Corps of Engineers in getting several miles of county roads asphalted in the Wappapello area. Also a proud moment for Mr. Crawford was the installation of the much needed elevator in the courthouse for which he had initiated the entire project. Finally, Cleo was instrumental in updating the conditions of the old jail and worked diligently on the creation of the new (current) jail.

Throughout the years Cleo loved his Walker Coonhounds and hearing the dogs on track. For many years he hunted riding mules then later on four wheelers but was always passionate about the dogs.

Cleo was a Christian. His home church in recent years was Berrong General Baptist Church at Gypsy, Missouri. He was an avid reader and loved being with his friends and family. His love for the outdoor, wildlife, God, country, family and his dogs were everything to him.

Mr. Crawford was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Elza Crawford and Elvin Crawford, and five sisters. His sisters included Orella as an infant and Ira Elledge, Goldia Gillum, Sylvia Baker, Mildred Pennington. He also was preceded in death by one grandson, Ben Josef Miller.

Cleo is survived by his wife, Karen Barrett Crawford of the home.

Also surviving Mr. Crawford is one sister Genevieve Pennington of Puxico, Missouri, and four children, seven grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild and two great-grandchildren. The four children are Harold Miller of Corveta, Oklahoma, Debbie Newman of Puxico, Rick Crawford of Holts Summit, Missouri, and Brenda Crawford of Lowndes.

Cleo was soft spoken but firm. He was known as the most honest man ever and had a work ethic like none other. His sincerity and honorable work ethics were noted by many and admired by all. His advice was often sought by young an old on matters from coon hunting and dogs to heavy equipment, road and bridge projects, land procurement and so much more. He will be missed by many.

Visitation will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Morgan Sifford Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday. Bob Bradford will officiate. Burial will be in the Womack Cemetery.