Doug Crawford passed away peacefully on November 28, 2018, at the age of 94. He was born January 31, 1924, in Bonners Ferry, ID to long time Walla Walla residents Cecil and Helen Crawford.
Doug graduated from Wa-Hi in 1942, where he starred in football and basketball. He led his Blue Devil basketball team to a regional championship and berth in the State tournament. He met his future wife Gerry at a local pool party in the summer of 1941. They were married January 3, 1943, just prior to his shipping-out to WWII combat in the Burma-China-India Theater and Okinawa. They were married 75 years until her passing in May of this year.
Early in his WWII deployment with the Army Air Corps, Doug’s troop transport sailed from San Francisco. Doug was ordered to stand armed guard over African American troops held in the hull of the ship. Doug set his rifle aside, refusing to hold a loaded weapon on the soldiers. “You don’t hold a fellow soldier at gun point just for having a different skin color”, he later told his children. Instead, he was found playing cards with these soldiers. While he was demoted from Staff Sergeant to Technical Sergeant for his actions, he never regretted his decision.
Doug’s technical specialty in WWII was the transmission of coded messages. With General Curtis LeMay standing over his shoulder, it was Doug who transmitted (to Washington D.C.) initial and ongoing information on all bombing operations in Japan. In Okinawa, a mortar detonated near the communications tent, causing Doug a concussion with inner ear damage and permanent hearing loss.
While in the service, Doug was called upon to sing with any and all swing bands that performed for the troops, including the Benny Goodman Band. His crooner-like voice and good-looks made him a popular vocalist. He performed locally for many years after his tour of duty, even recording three 78 rpm discs. Shortly after his return from overseas, Doug was also a prolific scoring guard on Walla Walla’s historic AAU basketball team that competed for the national championship at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
As a parent and volunteer in Walla Walla, Doug coached Little League and Pony League baseball for several years. With sons Steve and Ken as players, his teams won several league, city, and all-star championships. He coached the 1963 Pony League all-star team that competed at the World Series in Los Angeles. Any low-income boy wanting to play baseball could count-on Doug to arrange the fees, spikes, and glove necessary to participate. Throughout his life, Doug and Gerry greatly enjoyed supporting the many athletic accomplishments of Steve and Ken, as well as the stellar debate and theater pursuits of youngest son James (‘JW’).
Professionally, Doug was the office manager for the Zellerbach Paper Company in Walla Walla and, later, Portland. Doug and Gerry returned to Walla Walla in 1982. As retirees, they together enjoyed camping, fishing, and following the Seattle Mariners and Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Doug is survived by his sons, Col. Steve Crawford, Dr. Ken Crawford, Jim ‘JW’ Crawford, and their respective spouses of Laura Crawford, Dr. Susan Crawford, and Patty Crawford. He had four grandchildren, Scott Crawford, Shane Crawford, Kate Crawford, and Gwen Crawford.
Doug’s life was well-lived. The world is a better place for his having been here. While he will be missed, the family is pleased to have him reunited with Gerry, the love of his life. No formal memorial service is scheduled at this time. The family greatly appreciates the quality care provided to Doug by the dedicated staff at the Walla Walla Veterans Home. Doug and Gerry will be interred together in the veterans section of the Walla Walla Mountain View Cemetery.
Doug graduated from Wa-Hi in 1942, where he starred in football and basketball. He led his Blue Devil basketball team to a regional championship and berth in the State tournament. He met his future wife Gerry at a local pool party in the summer of 1941. They were married January 3, 1943, just prior to his shipping-out to WWII combat in the Burma-China-India Theater and Okinawa. They were married 75 years until her passing in May of this year.
Early in his WWII deployment with the Army Air Corps, Doug’s troop transport sailed from San Francisco. Doug was ordered to stand armed guard over African American troops held in the hull of the ship. Doug set his rifle aside, refusing to hold a loaded weapon on the soldiers. “You don’t hold a fellow soldier at gun point just for having a different skin color”, he later told his children. Instead, he was found playing cards with these soldiers. While he was demoted from Staff Sergeant to Technical Sergeant for his actions, he never regretted his decision.
Doug’s technical specialty in WWII was the transmission of coded messages. With General Curtis LeMay standing over his shoulder, it was Doug who transmitted (to Washington D.C.) initial and ongoing information on all bombing operations in Japan. In Okinawa, a mortar detonated near the communications tent, causing Doug a concussion with inner ear damage and permanent hearing loss.
While in the service, Doug was called upon to sing with any and all swing bands that performed for the troops, including the Benny Goodman Band. His crooner-like voice and good-looks made him a popular vocalist. He performed locally for many years after his tour of duty, even recording three 78 rpm discs. Shortly after his return from overseas, Doug was also a prolific scoring guard on Walla Walla’s historic AAU basketball team that competed for the national championship at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
As a parent and volunteer in Walla Walla, Doug coached Little League and Pony League baseball for several years. With sons Steve and Ken as players, his teams won several league, city, and all-star championships. He coached the 1963 Pony League all-star team that competed at the World Series in Los Angeles. Any low-income boy wanting to play baseball could count-on Doug to arrange the fees, spikes, and glove necessary to participate. Throughout his life, Doug and Gerry greatly enjoyed supporting the many athletic accomplishments of Steve and Ken, as well as the stellar debate and theater pursuits of youngest son James (‘JW’).
Professionally, Doug was the office manager for the Zellerbach Paper Company in Walla Walla and, later, Portland. Doug and Gerry returned to Walla Walla in 1982. As retirees, they together enjoyed camping, fishing, and following the Seattle Mariners and Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Doug is survived by his sons, Col. Steve Crawford, Dr. Ken Crawford, Jim ‘JW’ Crawford, and their respective spouses of Laura Crawford, Dr. Susan Crawford, and Patty Crawford. He had four grandchildren, Scott Crawford, Shane Crawford, Kate Crawford, and Gwen Crawford.
Doug’s life was well-lived. The world is a better place for his having been here. While he will be missed, the family is pleased to have him reunited with Gerry, the love of his life. No formal memorial service is scheduled at this time. The family greatly appreciates the quality care provided to Doug by the dedicated staff at the Walla Walla Veterans Home. Doug and Gerry will be interred together in the veterans section of the Walla Walla Mountain View Cemetery.
Doug Crawford passed away peacefully on November 28, 2018, at the age of 94. He was born January 31, 1924, in Bonners Ferry, ID to long time Walla Walla residents Cecil and Helen Crawford.
Doug graduated from Wa-Hi in 1942, where he starred in football and basketball. He led his Blue Devil basketball team to a regional championship and berth in the State tournament. He met his future wife Gerry at a local pool party in the summer of 1941. They were married January 3, 1943, just prior to his shipping-out to WWII combat in the Burma-China-India Theater and Okinawa. They were married 75 years until her passing in May of this year.
Early in his WWII deployment with the Army Air Corps, Doug’s troop transport sailed from San Francisco. Doug was ordered to stand armed guard over African American troops held in the hull of the ship. Doug set his rifle aside, refusing to hold a loaded weapon on the soldiers. “You don’t hold a fellow soldier at gun point just for having a different skin color”, he later told his children. Instead, he was found playing cards with these soldiers. While he was demoted from Staff Sergeant to Technical Sergeant for his actions, he never regretted his decision.
Doug’s technical specialty in WWII was the transmission of coded messages. With General Curtis LeMay standing over his shoulder, it was Doug who transmitted (to Washington D.C.) initial and ongoing information on all bombing operations in Japan. In Okinawa, a mortar detonated near the communications tent, causing Doug a concussion with inner ear damage and permanent hearing loss.
While in the service, Doug was called upon to sing with any and all swing bands that performed for the troops, including the Benny Goodman Band. His crooner-like voice and good-looks made him a popular vocalist. He performed locally for many years after his tour of duty, even recording three 78 rpm discs. Shortly after his return from overseas, Doug was also a prolific scoring guard on Walla Walla’s historic AAU basketball team that competed for the national championship at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
As a parent and volunteer in Walla Walla, Doug coached Little League and Pony League baseball for several years. With sons Steve and Ken as players, his teams won several league, city, and all-star championships. He coached the 1963 Pony League all-star team that competed at the World Series in Los Angeles. Any low-income boy wanting to play baseball could count-on Doug to arrange the fees, spikes, and glove necessary to participate. Throughout his life, Doug and Gerry greatly enjoyed supporting the many athletic accomplishments of Steve and Ken, as well as the stellar debate and theater pursuits of youngest son James (‘JW’).
Professionally, Doug was the office manager for the Zellerbach Paper Company in Walla Walla and, later, Portland. Doug and Gerry returned to Walla Walla in 1982. As retirees, they together enjoyed camping, fishing, and following the Seattle Mariners and Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Doug is survived by his sons, Col. Steve Crawford, Dr. Ken Crawford, Jim ‘JW’ Crawford, and their respective spouses of Laura Crawford, Dr. Susan Crawford, and Patty Crawford. He had four grandchildren, Scott Crawford, Shane Crawford, Kate Crawford, and Gwen Crawford.
Doug’s life was well-lived. The world is a better place for his having been here. While he will be missed, the family is pleased to have him reunited with Gerry, the love of his life. No formal memorial service is scheduled at this time. The family greatly appreciates the quality care provided to Doug by the dedicated staff at the Walla Walla Veterans Home. Doug and Gerry will be interred together in the veterans section of the Walla Walla Mountain View Cemetery.
Doug graduated from Wa-Hi in 1942, where he starred in football and basketball. He led his Blue Devil basketball team to a regional championship and berth in the State tournament. He met his future wife Gerry at a local pool party in the summer of 1941. They were married January 3, 1943, just prior to his shipping-out to WWII combat in the Burma-China-India Theater and Okinawa. They were married 75 years until her passing in May of this year.
Early in his WWII deployment with the Army Air Corps, Doug’s troop transport sailed from San Francisco. Doug was ordered to stand armed guard over African American troops held in the hull of the ship. Doug set his rifle aside, refusing to hold a loaded weapon on the soldiers. “You don’t hold a fellow soldier at gun point just for having a different skin color”, he later told his children. Instead, he was found playing cards with these soldiers. While he was demoted from Staff Sergeant to Technical Sergeant for his actions, he never regretted his decision.
Doug’s technical specialty in WWII was the transmission of coded messages. With General Curtis LeMay standing over his shoulder, it was Doug who transmitted (to Washington D.C.) initial and ongoing information on all bombing operations in Japan. In Okinawa, a mortar detonated near the communications tent, causing Doug a concussion with inner ear damage and permanent hearing loss.
While in the service, Doug was called upon to sing with any and all swing bands that performed for the troops, including the Benny Goodman Band. His crooner-like voice and good-looks made him a popular vocalist. He performed locally for many years after his tour of duty, even recording three 78 rpm discs. Shortly after his return from overseas, Doug was also a prolific scoring guard on Walla Walla’s historic AAU basketball team that competed for the national championship at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
As a parent and volunteer in Walla Walla, Doug coached Little League and Pony League baseball for several years. With sons Steve and Ken as players, his teams won several league, city, and all-star championships. He coached the 1963 Pony League all-star team that competed at the World Series in Los Angeles. Any low-income boy wanting to play baseball could count-on Doug to arrange the fees, spikes, and glove necessary to participate. Throughout his life, Doug and Gerry greatly enjoyed supporting the many athletic accomplishments of Steve and Ken, as well as the stellar debate and theater pursuits of youngest son James (‘JW’).
Professionally, Doug was the office manager for the Zellerbach Paper Company in Walla Walla and, later, Portland. Doug and Gerry returned to Walla Walla in 1982. As retirees, they together enjoyed camping, fishing, and following the Seattle Mariners and Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Doug is survived by his sons, Col. Steve Crawford, Dr. Ken Crawford, Jim ‘JW’ Crawford, and their respective spouses of Laura Crawford, Dr. Susan Crawford, and Patty Crawford. He had four grandchildren, Scott Crawford, Shane Crawford, Kate Crawford, and Gwen Crawford.
Doug’s life was well-lived. The world is a better place for his having been here. While he will be missed, the family is pleased to have him reunited with Gerry, the love of his life. No formal memorial service is scheduled at this time. The family greatly appreciates the quality care provided to Doug by the dedicated staff at the Walla Walla Veterans Home. Doug and Gerry will be interred together in the veterans section of the Walla Walla Mountain View Cemetery.
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