Obituary of James Crawford

BIOGRAPHY CRAWFORD ~ James "Jim" Robert Crawford passed away peacefully in St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Monday, December 21, 2009 at the age of 78 years. Jim will be sadly missed by his wife Orpha of Turtleford; two children: Perry Crawford of Turtleford, Janet Macnab and partner Charles Olmsted; grandsons: Jeff Macnab of Turtleford, Derek and Joan Macnab of Saskatoon, Jason and Marty Macnab of Paradise Hill; sister Edith and Oliver Sandwich of Glaslyn; great grand daughters Jenna, Hailey, Alyssa, Madison, Ava. The funeral service was conducted from the Turtleford Community Centre, Turtleford, Saskatchewan on Monday, December 28, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Canon Donald Skinner officiating. They eulogy was read by Lois Kendel. The hymns sung were "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Amazing Grace" accompanied on the organ by Noreen Williamson. The honorary pallbearers were Carolyn and Fraser Dudley, Bud and Bev Graham, Loretta Carigal and Bob Manship, Carole and Wayne Mork. The active pallbearers were Jason Macnab, Jeff Macnab, Derek Macnab, Doug Sandwick, Rodney Sandwick and Gary Macnab. Interment was held in the Turtleford Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. EULOGY Definition of eulogy is 'speech in praise of a person' That was an easy thing to do for Jim Crawford, as many people had nothing but good to share. Jim was born and went to school in the Clayville District. He married Orpha Snider in 1953. So their long and valued marriage is a good example to us all. They lived for sometime in Mervin. Jim, a man of many talents, operated a Caterpillar for the RM and then had his own and worked road construction with Orpha doing the cooking for the crew. They made a good team and had a lot of fun and laughter. They then moved to the farm at Turtleford in 1967. Many enjoyed remembering what a good dancer Jim was and that when he showed up at the dance it became more lively and a lot more fun was had by all. Jim loved to play practical jokes with the electric fence - like holding daughter Janet's hand and then grabbing the fence and he would catch her every time. And then one day he convinced grandson Jason to pee on the fence. Jim loved to be at the farm with son Perry and grandson's no matter what was on the agenda. Moving the cattle, tilling the soil, Jim wanted to be there. Also, one of his favorite times of day was early morning coffee and a game of crib at Dick's shop, often with grandson's. Jim Crawford - Cat operator, basement digger, curler, good dancer (no great dancer), gentleman (and a gentle man), farmer, cattleman, horseman, good neighbor and more. To his family Jim would say "thank you for being such an incredible blessing in my Life", and to his friends "thank you for being here today to support my family", and the family to Jim - "thank you for the wonderful legacy you have left for us". CARD OF THANKS The Crawford family would like to thank Dr. Shoaib and the nursing staff for their care and compassion during Jim's short illness. We would also like to thank all our friends and family for the food, flowers and kind words during our time of need. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel. Thanks also to McCaw Funeral Service for their on going professionalism and compassion. Orpha, Perry, Janet & Families Donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.