Edward Thomas Crawford passed peacefully at his home on the farm at the age of 84 in Prosser Washington Wednesday November 13th with his wife Janet by his side. He had recent visits from his siblings, children, and his grandchildren. He fought Parkinson’s disease for nearly 15 years. He bravely stood up to his disease with extreme grace, keeping the progressive nature of his disease at bay and extending his life here on earth so all could be fulfilled with his presence. As a model of perseverance, his life overflowed with strength, truth, and integrity that will remain in the joyful memories of him and his loving , humorous, and compassionate ways.
Born July 20, 1940 in ,Ellensburg Washington, where he lived until the age 5. His Father Benton and Mother Evelyn relocated the family to Prosser. Ed had seven siblings; Ann Fazendin, Francis Price, Barbara Kohn, Donald Crawford, Marilyn Cleveringa, Carrie Wanke and Charles Crawford. He was especially fond of his Aunt Ellen Berndt. Ellen sparked and nurtured Edward’s love for sports and the outdoors.
Ed’s family had been farming in Ellensburg Washington until learning of the Roza irrigation project coming to the Lower Yakima Valley. They then relocated to Prosser Washington in 1945 and established the Crawford farm north of Prosser. Benton Crawford and his son Edward’s first crops were sugar beets, alfalfa, potatoes, and mint. Along with farming many different crops, they also tended to their herd of Angus cattle. The farm continued to thrive with the addition of Concord grapes and asparagus. Years later, Ed added to the farm and purchased another 50 acres where he grew wheat, corn and more Concord grapes. Still later, he planted some of the first wine grapes in the valley, which supplied the region’s first grapes to Chateau Ste Michelle, Columbia Crest, and other private vintners in the region. Ed was the first grower of Lemberger grapes in the valley. The latest transition on the farm was adding a number of varietal apples which was one of Ed’s proudest achievements. The combination of Ed’s desire to always be better led him to turn the majority of the farm into tree fruit.
In 2021, Ed was recognized by receiving the Washington Grape Growers Lloyd H Porter Grower Award signifying significant advancement of the Washington grape industry. Ed was also a member of the Benton County Noxious Weed Control Board.
Ed proudly spent the last years of his farming career working with his son, Scott. Often saying “I’m sorry I can’t help more”.
Earlier on, Ed was an active member of the Prosser Jaycees Club, Back Country Horsemen, and Rattlesnake Ridge Riders. He loved contributing hard work and dedication to others.
Ed’s long-time love was Janet Anderson. She was a Junior at Prosser High School and Ed had graduated from Prosser High School in 1958 when he asked Janet out on a date for the first time. Janet was a friend of his sister Barbara. Ed and Janet’s love grew fast and strong and they were married on the 8th of April in 1960. Their union and commitment to each other stood the test of time for 64 years, as together they raised three children, Lori, Caralee, and Scott.
Ed’s love of sports drove his active and competitive spirit. An accomplished athlete in many sports, Ed’s passion for team sports was intense. His high school years in football earned him an all-valley title and a scholarship opportunity at YVC. As farming and his personal life took precedence over school, Ed went to work. He continued to play countless summers of baseball and softball and winter basketball for Simplot Soil Builders. After ball games his close group of friends often met for cold drinks, laughs, and stories of games of the past. One of his favorite activities was the annual Prosser Iron Team competition that consisted of a full day of golf, bowling, volleyball, horseshoes, ping pong, and of course darts. This was one of his favorite activities, where he was able to be with his very large group of friends seeking the coveted winner’s gold signatory T-Shirt. Ed also enjoyed coaching softball and baseball for his own children and other area kids.
The outdoors was his sanctuary. Ed loved hunting, fishing, and horseback riding in the mountains and sharing his passion for nature with his friends and family. He loved the many trips to “Aunt Ellen’s cabin” in Salmon la Sac. His love of nature, where he fished serene lakes and streams, hunted wild game, and listened to sounds of the outdoors stimulated his heart and mind in so many ways. Often, he would say, “this… is my church”. His hunting and fishing harvests were always respected and shared with others that enjoyed wild game and fish.
Ed has seven grandchildren; Connor & Carson Craig, Austin, Dillon and Kale Crawford, Garth and Cheyenne VanZuyen. With every new grandchild, his presence and love was a priority in each of their lives. Ed often talked about his many memories he shared with his grandkids, where he attended more baseball, football and basketball games than can be counted, over 170 birthday celebrations, Christmas’s filled with the legacy of Grandpa’s gifts of rifles or fishing equipment. He cared for them so very much and about building their character, competitive nature and compassion by taking time to be involved in their lives. Annual fishing trips to the Tucannon lakes with the kids was one of his absolute favorite times.
Ed is survived by his wife Janet, daughters: Lori (Crawford) VanZuyen and Caralee (Crawford) Craig, husband Phil Craig. His son, Scott Crawford and wife Gretl (Hovde) Crawford. His seven grandchildren, and his siblings Ann, Francis, Donald and Betty Crawford, Marilyn and Larry Cleveringa, Carrie and Mark Wanke, Charles and Connie Crawford. He is preceded in death by his parents Benton and Evelyn Crawford, Grandparents Fred and Nola Belle Crawford, Walter and Mary Berndt, Aunt Ellen Berndt and Sister Barbara Kohn.
We will always remember his generosity, compassion, sly grin and quick-witted sense of humor. His humanity was formed with sound integrity, trust, humility, and foundation of Christian principles he practiced daily towards his family, friends, and fellow man. He knew that following these ways he would be filled with love on earth, and love of his Father in heaven.
An open viewing will be at the Prosser Funeral Home Wednesday, November 20th, from 4pm-7pm. Please join the family at a graveside service presided by Ed’s longtime friend Andy Gilbertson on Friday November 22nd at 11am. A Memorial service will follow at 12pm in the Foundation Bible Church 270 N Gap Road, Prosser. Ed’s friends and family are invited to both services followed by a luncheon following in the main foyer at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. You may leave a message for the family at www.Prosserfuneralhome.com