Leonard “Russell” Crawford, 86, of Marshall, MO, died Monday, December 30, 2024, at The Living Center in Marshall, MO, surrounded by his family.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marshall, with Pastor Kevin Vogts officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Inurnment with military rites will be at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville. Memorial contributions may be made to Bright Beginnings Pre-School or family choice. An online guestbook may be signed at www.campbell-lewis.com
Russell was born on July 31, 1938, in Waverly, MO, the son of the late Leonard Crawford and Elizabeth Jordon Crawford. He lived most of his life in Waverly until moving to Marshall around 2012. Russell was in the U.S. Marine Corps enlisting on January 9, 1958 and discharged on January 8, 1964 as a Private First Class. He worked for AGCO (formerly Allis-Chalmers of Independence, MO) from March 26, 1962 to December 31, 2000. He later worked for the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department; the U.S. Marshall Service; Waverly Police Department; and was a member of the Waverly First Responders. He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Russell is survived by his wife, Carolyn Denney Crawford who he married on April 16, 2005; son, Terry Crawford; grandchildren, T.J. Crawford (Kayla), Lillian Crawford (Kyle), Christian Crawford, Adam Crawford (Sydney), Sarah Crawford, Candice Smothers (Bobby), Lori Arp (Micheal), Kevin Miller, Ethan Miller, Traci Miller, Josh Catron (Ursula); great-grandchildren, James Crossette, Maverick Crawford, Brittany Dove, Breanna Smothers, Bobby “Jr.” Smothers, Jacob Arp, Logan Arp, Grady Arp, Miranda Miller and Jay Miller; stepchildren, Judy Petzoldt (Mark), David Schmidt (Cassie) and Mike Schmidt (Aleecia); step-grandchildren, Zach Petzoldt (Brooke), Josh Petzoldt (Rachel), Taylor Case (Garrett) and Nick Schmidt; and step-great-grandchildren, Claire and Hailey Petzoldt.
In addition to his parents, Russell was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosie Crawford; step-children, William Miller and Rosemary Tooley; step-grandson, Nathion Schmidt; one brother, George Henry (Buddy) Crawford; and one sister in infancy.