George Crawford Jr.

Nov 8, 1944 -

Aug 2, 2021

George William Crawford Jr., 76, passed away peacefully on Aug. 2, 2021, after a courageous battle with vascular dementia/Alzheimer's disease. He was born on Nov. 8, 1944, in Oakland Naval Hospital and spent his early years in the Bay Area before moving to Pomona, Calif. At age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly spent 27 years serving his country as an Air Policeman, Special Agent in Investigations, Broadcaster and a Public Affairs Officer. In 1966, he married Alice McGowan Kurth, and three children soon followed. Following a distinguished Air Force career, George retired in 1989. He continued to serve his community working at the Anchorage Police Department until his retirement in 2008. In 2000, George married Cindi (Smith) Crawford and added a stepson to his family. George was generous to a fault and was always willing to help others. He was a great storyteller and a "walking encyclopedia." He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he shared his talents as a local Area Seventy, primary teacher, sacrament greeter and Bishop's Store House volunteer. He is survived by his wife, Cindi; former wife, Alice Belden; daughters, Afton (Cecil) Basden and Amy (Jeremy) Rhoades; stepson, Drew Browne; sisters, Sheryl Hall, Judith Crawford, Ruth (Dwight) Taylor and Donna Crawford; and grandchildren, Christopher (Natalie), Allison Basden, and Asher and Reena Rhoades, who were the light of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, George William Crawford Sr. and Mary Marjorie Love; and son, George Willard Crawford. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, at the LDS Chugach Foothills Chapel, 8000 E. 36th Avenue in Anchorage, with viewing at 1 p.m., service at 1:30 p.m., and reception at 2:30 p.m. A private burial service at Fort Richardson National Cemetery will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, General Missionary Fund. Please visit legacyalaska.com for more information on service times and boxcasting of the service.