Donald Hirth "Jack" Crawford
May 31, 1925 - July 30, 2022
Donald Hirth “Jack” Crawford, 97, died unexpectedly Saturday July 30, 2022 at Northeast Regional Medical Center. He was born May 31, 1925 near Atlanta, Missouri, the son of Carl H and Blanche (Sewell) Crawford. On December 20, 1949 he married Lillian Curvin. They later divorced. On October 20, 1984 he was united in marriage to Maurine Pickens Cochran, who survives.
After graduating from LaPlata High School in 1943, Jack enlisted in the United States Navy in early 1944, where he proudly served for twenty-eight years before retiring at the rank of Commander. Much of his service was as a Navy pilot. After retiring he returned to northeast Missouri, where he was very involved with many community organizations including the Kirksville YMCA, where he contributed many hours to building the current YMCA facility, Players’ Workshop, where he not only performed, but also built sets and sewed costumes, and The Friends of LaPlata Preservation, where he spent innumerable hours on the restoration of the Green Theater. He was also a lifetime member of Mensa International.
Jack had limitless energy and was master of numerous skills. He always made himself available to family, friends and his community to help or direct nearly any project that required attention. He was as generous with his money as with his time and was well known for his charitable giving.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister and one daughter, Mary Anne McAbery. He is survived by two daughters, Julia Butterfield of San Pablo, CA and Denise (Joe) Bannon of Goodyear, AZ, one son, Donald (Sunny) Mowzoon of Chandler, AZ, four step-sons, Steve (Sharon) Cochran of Litchfield Park, AZ, Richard (Cathy) Cochran of Easley, SC, Joe (Linda) Cochran of Burlington, IA and Pat (Kris) Cochran of Kirksville, and one sister, Betty Crawford of Paducah, KY. He was also “Grandpa Jack” to 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Final arrangements are under the direction of Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, MO. According to his wishes, Jack has been cremated. He will be interred with military honors at 1 p.m. September 6, 2022 at the La Plata Cemetery, followed by a reception hosted by his family at Jack and Maurine’s home in Kirksville, MO. The family requests in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to the Kirksville YMCA or The Friends of La Plata Preservation.
