Don Crawford

Donald (Don) J. Crawford of Ponca City passed away Monday, December 27, 2021 at Alliance Health Center in Ponca City. He was 90.
Born to Jesse & Cassie (Bowker) Crawford in Phillipsburg, Kansas on July 8, 1931. Don was fourth of five children. He went to school in Phillipsburg, graduating with the class of 1949 at the age of 17. He attended Fort Hays Kansas State Teachers College and then Arkansas City Junior College graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Education. He taught one year in a one room school house teaching grades 1-6 in Maple City,Kansas. He moved to Ponca City in 1952. He went to work for Lucky's TV for 8 1/2 years before opening his own television repair shop called Don's TV in 1962. He was in business for 14 years before going to work for Smith International in 1976 as a maintenance mechanic. He traveled to Venezuela during his time with Smith's training people on machines. He retired from Smith's in 1993.
May 6, 1951 he married Velma Spurgeon and they made their home in Ponca City. On January 21, 1952 they welcomed a daughter Donna Jo making them a family of three. Velma passed away from cancer in July 1990. On June 8, 1991 he married Vickie Bailey and they were married until her death in November 2018.
Don enjoyed doing many things but his most favorite thing was flying his Cessna 177 Cardinal airplane. He earned his pilots license in 1972. He owned several airplanes and even built one with his grandson Kyle.
Survivors include his daughter Donna White, grandsons Kyle(Calvia) Albee and Cameron(Misti) Albee all of Newkirk. Step daughter Kym Vap, step sons Monty Eckler and Shane Bailey all of Ponca City. Step granddaughters Amy Arbona, Sasha Steelemon, Lindsey Hobbs, LeighAnn Giles and Monica Pratt all of Ponca City. Step grandsons Garrett Bailey of Ponca City and Tanner Eckler of Owasso. 20 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, his wives Velma and Vickie, brothers Jesse and Harold and sisters Opal and Esther and step son in law Tony Vap.
Graveside services will be Monday January 3, 2022 at Newkirk Cemetery. Arrangements are with Miller Stahl Funeral Home/Grace Memorial Chapel.