Jerry L. Crawford

Jerry L. Crawford, 78, of Kearney, died Saturday, September 2, 2017 at Good Samaritan Society - St. John’s. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am Thursday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. The Reverend Dean Pofahl will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Wednesday at the funeral home. Following services Mr. Crawford will be cremated. Inurnment of ashes will be at 10:30 am Friday at Kearney Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Kearney Tackles Cancer. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Jerry Lee Crawford was born on August 30, 1939 in Red Cloud, Nebraska to Charles and Verna (Pate) Crawford. He grew up in Red Cloud and graduated from Red Cloud High School in 1957. Following graduation, he moved to Colorado where he worked for a farmer. He entered the United States Army in 1959 and served as Military Police until his honorable discharge in 1962. Following his discharge, he worked for the Kreutz farm in Giltner, Nebraska. Jerry was united in marriage to Mary Cash on March 16, 1963. The couple made their home in Shelton where he served as the Chief of Police from 1964-1967. From 1967 to 1975 he served as the Buffalo County Sheriff Chief Deputy. He was an investigator for the Buffalo County Attorney Office from 1975 until his retirement from law enforcement in 1987. He later managed Westside Gas Station and worked for T & F Sand and Gravel, Coleman’s and L & S Industries. Jerry enjoyed team roping, playing golf and traveling. One of his fondest memories was playing football and being in Business Law Class with all the girls. Whenever someone needed a ride, to anywhere, Jerry was always available to be their driver. He always looked forward to his coffee with his friends at Bob’s Superstore and later Thirsty’s. Most of all, Jerry loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Mary of Kearney; his children, Cynthia Peterson and husband Dan of McCook, Troy Crawford and wife Patty of Kearney, Tracy Hixon and special friend Brian Nielson of McCook, Shelley Crawford and husband Doug Hartner of Randolph and Marci Day and husband Jess of Amherst; 25 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; two brothers, Alvin Crawford and wife Jeneane of Minden and Jim Crawford and wife Eva of Mullen; three sisters, Marge Hardy of Seneca, NE, Sharon Pritts of Kearney and Keron Bailey of Guide Rock; and several nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Jerrlyn LeSueur; a grandson, Justin Peterson; and a sister Patricia Higby.

Jerry L. Crawford

August 30, 1939 - September 2, 2017