Gerald M. Crawford

Gerald M. Crawford, loving family man, gentleman, and attorney, died peacefully in his home on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2016 at the age of 75. Gerry was born at home in Arcadia, Wisconsin on May 23, 1940, the son of Marcus and Margaret (nee: Dascher) Crawford. On May 11, 1968, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Kathleen J. Brown, at St. Mary’s Church.

Gerry always took great pride in the fact that he was the first boy scout to attain the rank of Eagle Scout at St. Rita’s Parish on December 1, 1955.

Gerry graduated from St. Rita’s School and St. Catherine’s High School class of 1958. Gerry graduated from Marquette Law School in 1964 and was admitted to practice in Wisconsin in 1964. After graduation, he started his practice of law as a prosecuting attorney in the District Attorneys Office. He was Assistant District Attorney under District Attorney Gerald E. Clickner from 1964 to 1969. Gerry also served as Assistant City Attorney and Court Commissioner. He started in private practice in 1969 with Roy D. Stewart and John Peyton. He was a partner with Stewart, Peyton, Crawford, Crawford & Stutt Law Offices until his retirement in June of 2009.

Gerry was listed in “Best Lawyers of America”, “Who’s Who in American Law” and had an AV Preeminent peer rating in Martindale-Hubbell.

He was involved in the organizing of the Caledonia Community Youth Foundation. He was one of the first board members of the Big Brothers of Racine, having served as President. He served on the YMCA Board of Directors from 1970 to 1977. He was on the board of Civil Legal Services for many years; Racine County Bar Association, serving as President in 1986; State Bar Association; American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Wisconsin Chapter, serving as President in 1997; and American Inns of Court, Provisional Matrimonial Chapter. He recently completed nine years on The Wind Meadows Homeowners Board of Directors.

Gerry was a member of St. Rita’s Parish since 1944 and had served as President of St. Rita’s School and President of St. Rita’s Home and School Association.

Gerry loved to follow sports, especially Marquette Basketball and the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed travelling to many NCAA Men’s Basketball Finals and two Green Bay Packer Super Bowls. As a Milwaukee Brewer Fan, he shared in season tickets for many years. For over 30 years Gerry enjoyed deer hunting on the family farm in Buffalo County with his father, brother Wayne, son Marcus, uncles, cousins, nephews and friends. He was an avid reader and loved his daily crossword puzzles. He was always up for a good game of Candyland, Cribbage, Chess, Checkers and Euchre with the grandchildren and could even be persuaded to play a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Kathy of 47 years; as well as his four children, Kelly Brunette (Quin), Laurie Kotlarek (Todd), Sharon Fancher (Greg), and Marcus Crawford. He is survived by 15 grandchildren: Ashley, Kayla, Jaimie, Steph, Ben, Samantha, Jessica, Gavin, Ethan, Cole, Caleb, Gerry, Kaden, Nolan and Finnigan. He is further survived by two brothers, Wayne and Timothy Crawford (Jeanne), a sister, Jan Miller, a brother-in-law, James Brown (Anne) and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, February 18, 2016 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial starting at 11:30 a.m. at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Avenue, Racine WI, with Rev. Rich Young O.S.A officiating. Interment will follow at Country Haven Cemetery. Memorials to St. Rita’s Catholic Church or the American Diabetes Association or the Charity of your choice have been suggested