DR. HUGH HOWARD CRAWFORD

HUGH HOWARD CRAWFORD, M.D., native of Fayette County passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2009, at his home in Palm Springs, CA. He was 84 years of age.

Services of Remembrance for Dr. Crawford were conducted at 11 A.M. Saturday, October 31st at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Rev. John Michael Krech, Pastor of the Somerville First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Remarks and reflection were given by Laurie Daltroff Triplette, Bill Rhea and Russell Schnepf. Interment followed in the Somerville City Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-Main Chapel of Somerville.

Born on December 17, 1924, in Somerville, he was the youngest of seven children born to Dr. John K. and Mrs. Ellen Rhea Crawford. He was reared in Somerville, and graduated from Somerville High School in 1942.

He attended Southwestern University (Rhodes College), Sewanee, received his M.D. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, and completed fellowships at Duke and New York University.

A board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Crawford set up his first medical practice in Norfolk, VA. In 1969, he opened a new practice in Orange County, CA, where he practiced until his retirement in 1996. Dr. Crawford was a pioneer in hand trauma and reconstruction surgery.

Dr. Crawford served as a field surgeon with the Marine Corps during the Korean War and volunteered for two civilian tours of duty in Vietnam, caring for wounded soldiers.

In 1978, he fulfilled one of his dreams by purchasing his old family parcel near Williston, TN. He built a wonderful log cabin and the farm became known as "Old Poplar"-where he enjoyed many years spending time with family and friends.

Hugh is survived by his partner of 25 years, Patrick Daltroff, his sister Mary Young of St. Petersburg, FL, sister-in-law Jean Crawford of Nashville TN, nephews John Crawford Winfrey, Jimmy Crawford, Jim Young and Oscar Noel, nieces Conne Bellet, Kathy Stauffer, Jeannie Lee , Janie Sellick, Susan Crawford Wilkinson, Adelicia Leeper and Lattie Brown, as well as an extended family of great nieces, nephews and cousins. He will also be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jack and JT, and sisters Frances, Louise, and Eleanor.

Hugh led a very wonderful, fulfilled life and touched so many people along the way. Someone once said " Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay awhile, make footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same ."

While we wish Hugh could have stayed longer, we are so fortunate his footprints are all over this world, touching so many people in whose hearts he will always be.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were Floyd Bellett, Bill Crawford, Chris Crawford, Jimmy Crawford, Bill Rhea, Dr. Karl Rhea, Rob Rhea, John Crawford Winfrey and Peter Winfrey, IV.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the church, charity or organization of the donor's choice.