BORN

1930

DIED

2010

FUNERAL HOME

Gorder Funeral Home

23 3rd Street NW

Choteau, Montana

Jesse Crawford Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 11, 2010.

Retired oilfield and farm worker Jesse Edward Crawford, 79, an avid history buff, died Feb. 10, 2010, at Teton Medical Center in Choteau from natural causes.

The memorial service is Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 2:00 p.m. at the Choteau Baptist Church, where Jesse was a charter member. Pastor Paul Lackey of Shelby will officiate. Burial with a graveside service will be in the Bonnievale Cemetery in Baker, MT at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 29, 2010.

Jesse was born Dec. 23, 1930, at the family farm in Fallon County, the eighth of nine children born to Gus and Bertha Crawford. He attended school through the eighth grade at the rural O'Donnell School.

Jesse grew up on the family farm and worked there through his early 20s. He then worked for a couple of winters at Randash Motors in Baker before becoming an oilfield worker with exploration and drilling rigs in Montana, North and South Dakota and Wyoming.

Jesse married Lou Ann Irene Squibb on March 24, 1955, but just a few months later, on May 27, 1955, the young couple was overcome by carbon monoxide fumes from a gas refrigerator in their small home. Lou Ann died and Jesse was hospitalized for 10 days, followed by a six-week recovery, before he was able to return to work in the oilfields.

On June 1, 1957, he married Ruth Griffith in Baker. They were divorced in June 1960.
Jesse married Janet Grenstiner Toombs in 1961, and they made their home in Baker. Their family included Janet's children, Bobby and Helen Toombs, and their son together, Jesse Dale Crawford.

Jesse became a devout Christian, joining the Lakeview Baptist Church and being baptized on Aug. 4, 1963. Though the family lived in many locations through the years, they were always involved in the church in their community.

In 1965, Jesse began working on ranches in the state, including the Charles Fellows ranch in the Lodge Grass area. When the Fellows family purchased a ranch at Choteau in 1973, Jesse and his family moved here and worked on the Fellows Ranch and also the Saylor Ranch and several other farms. He also worked for several years with farmer and custom harvester Ray Anderson of Choteau.

Jesse and Janet were divorced in June 1978.

Jesse remained active in the First Baptist Church in Conrad and through the church met Marie England, whom he married on Aug. 20, 1983, at that church.

Jesse fully retired in 2006, and he and Marie made their home in Choteau. Jesse was active in the Choteau Baptist Church, spent many hours researching his family genealogy and was a history buff. He was very proud of the accomplishments of his ancestors and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Jesse is survived by his wife of Choteau; his son and daughter-in-law, Jesse and Rose Crawford of Choteau; his stepchildren, Helen Clark of Wright, Wyo., and Robert Toombs of Casper, Wyo.; grandchildren, Samantha Crawford of Gillette, Wyo., Brian, Cameron and Colton Clark, all of Casper, and Aaron Clark of Gillette; a brother, Roy Crawford of Washington; a sister, Mirian Kirschten of Baker; and many great-grandchildren and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by wives Lou Ann and Janet; brothers, Jim, Clyde and Cliff Crawford; and sisters: Bernetta Crawford, Marguerite Varner and Ida Mae Sleeth.

Gorder Funeral Home of Choteau is handling arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.gorderfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Not sure what to say?

March 13, 2010

Keith Kallstrom

Marie, I am sorry for your loss. You have been in my thoughts!!!

February 20, 2010

Roxann Jung-Etzel

Rosemarie, Marie & Family, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Take care.

February 18, 2010

Junior, Julie & Girls Kautz

Marie, Rose, Jesse and Sam

We are so sorry for your loss and wish that we could have been there for you. Since last Wed, your family has been in our thoughts and prayers every day. One of our fondest memories was when we came out to MT for a visit and Jesse and Marie showed us MT. He was very gracious with his time. He had taken us to so many cool places and made us strawberry ice cream. We will never forget the memories that he gave us.

February 16, 2010

Gaylynn Brady

Jesse and Rose, We were so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Your family is in our hearts and prayers. We wish that we could be there at this time, but know that we are thinking of you.
Jeff and Gaylynn

February 15, 2010

Delores Randash Seay

I am sorry to hear about Jesse passing. My prayers go out to your family. My name is Delores Randash Seay and Jesse worked for my father and uncle at Randash Motors. I remember him fondly from when I was a young. My thought are with your family.

February 15, 2010

Jesse and Rose, We were very sorry to hear about your father, and have kept you in our thoughts and prayers. Wish we could help ease the pain and loss that you are experiencing. In Sympathy Hank and Gerry

February 15, 2010

Jesse, Rose and Family, We are sorry to hear of your loss. Your family is in our prayers. Dan and Shelly Campbell

February 13, 2010

Mark & Michelle Ghekiere

Dear Marie, Jesse and Rose, Sorry to about Jesse. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
Mark and Michelle Mullaney Ghekiere

February 13, 2010

Clint and Kathy Hendrickson

Jesse and Rose,
Sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad...Our thought s and our prayers are with you. May you find comfort and strength in the arms of the Father.

February 13, 2010

Lindie Gibson

dear Jesse - I was surprised to read where your dad passed away..... He wa s a good man.... and your loss is everyone's loss.... Take care of your psecial self until you see him again.... We know he's in a far more wonderful place.... Sincerely, Lindie Gibson / Livingston

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