Bobby Crawford

Bobby L. "Bob" Crawford, 75, of California, passed away Friday, September 24, 2010. He was born March 24, 1935 in California, the son of the late Glover and Ethel (Williams) Crawford. He was married on January 16, 1955, to his soul mate, Eileen Haldiman, who survives of the home. Bob was a 1953 graduate of California High School. After graduation he entered the United States Navy and served as a Reservist for eight years. He went to work for the Missouri State Highway Department in 1960. He retired from there in 1992 as a construction inspector, after overseeing the construction of the second Missouri River Bridge in Jefferson City. He also owned and operated Bob's Collector and Modern Firearms in St. Martin's where he built many enduring friendships before retiring from there in 1998. Bob was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, crappie fishing with anyone who would go, spending time on the family farm and attending the "sale" with his brother-in-law every Tuesday night at Versailles. He was a life member of the NRA and, with a handful of his friends, founded and built the California Shooters Club. Bob had become friends with several pastors in the community and was currently attending St. Paul's Evangelical Church in Jamestown. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his two sons, Randy (Shelly O'Bryan) Crawford of St. Martins and Mark (Susie) Crawford of Centertown; one sister, Jane (Harold) Strobel of California; one brother, Gary (Shirley) Crawford of Jefferson City; four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and one step-great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 27, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California. Burial will be in Salem Evangelical Cemetery off of Highway K, East of California. Officiating will be Rev. Brian Bish and Pastor Peter Kurowski. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 26, 2010, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to either Salem Evangelical Cemetery Association or St. Paul's Evangelical Church of Jamestown, c/o Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, 100 S. Oak, California, MO 65018. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California.