Earl H. Crawford

Mr. Earl Henry Crawford, 93, was born December 3, 1927 in Atlanta, GA. He was the youngest of seven children born to the late David and Hattie (McLendon) Crawford. Earl was raised by his grandfather, Reverend Toombs McLendon. He attended grade school in Atlanta and completed Dunbar High School in Dayton, OH. He received a full four year music scholarship to Florida A&M and became one of the famous marching elite.

He met the love of his life Sadie Gaston in Dayton, after his first year in college and married her in 1949. Earl was the consummate musician and formed his own band in which Sadie participated. Together they bought a home and had their first child, Anthony Earl, in November of 1953. Ten days later, Earl was drafted by the Army and soon sent to Korea. While in Korea, he played with the U. S. Army military band. 

Earl returned to Dayton in 1955 and began working at General Motors as an inspector. Early in his 31 ½ years of service, Earl and Sadie were blessed with their second child, Cynthia Lynn. Earl and Sadie were members of Tabernacle Baptist Church until her passing in 2003. Earl cared for Sadie in her later years after she developed Multiple Sclerosis and had a home built to accommodate her needs. They shared 53 years of love together.

Earl’s passion for music was constant and he enjoyed entertaining family and friends in his home every Thanksgiving with food, drink and live music. He was a lifetime member of the American Federation of Musicians, Dayton Local 101-473.

Earl is survived by his son, Anthony Earl; daughter, Cynthia Garrison (Eric); grandchildren, Erika Bedi (James) and Joshua Garrison; loving big sister, Gloria Sims, brothers-in-law, Berdell Gaston and Alonzo Gaston; sisters-in-law, Norma Gaston and Marilyn Gaston; a host of nieces and nephews.

Live Streamed service 11 am Tuesday, December 29, 2020. (Link: www.facebook.com/Stream-All-Services-102620271622310/ )

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