Carroll Edwin Crawford

Brigadier General (NMARNG-Ret.) Carroll Edwin Crawford passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, in Farmington, after a long and hard-fought battle. He is now with the Heavenly Army of his Lord and Savior. He was born on Sept. 14, 1934, in Farmington, to Burrel H. and Dyvena Stiles Crawford. He was raised on the Crawford Farm and graduated from Farmington High School in 1952, where he lettered in football, track and band. He earned an Associates in Arts from New Mexico State University, a Bachelor of Science in Management degree from Park College (Cum Laude), and a Bachelor of Science in General Business from the University of the State of New York. He also attended several military schools including Officer Candidate Course, Command and General Staff College, Graduate of Artillery Officer Basic Extension Course (Air Defense), and Ordinance Branch Officer Advanced Course.
He married the love of his life, Bonnie June French, on Sept. 5, 1953. To this union of 62 plus years, were born two daughters, Diana and Rebecca; and a son, Scott. He worked for over 40 years at El Paso Natural Gas Company retiring as Director of Measurement Technical Operations in 1997. During this time he was on the Instructional Staff at the Texas A and I University-Gulf Coast Measurement Short Course, College of Engineering University of Oklahoma-Southwestern Gas Measurement Short Course, and University of Oklahoma International School of Hydrocarbon Measurement. Upon retirement, he was dba a Consultant/Auditor. When he had nothing else to do, he ran his farm on the old homestead eventually developing it into Vista San Juan Estates.
Carroll served as President on the Bloomfield School Board and as President on the San Juan College Advisory Board before being transferred to El Paso, Texas. In his 33 years with the New Mexico Army National Guard, he served with many fine and loyal soldiers and officers in units in Farmington, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and White Sands. He earned the rank of Brigadier General (Air Defense Artillery and Ordinance Branches). He returned to Farmington in 1998, and served on the Bloomfield Irrigation District Board.
Carroll was ordained a deacon and inducted into the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara. He was a charter member of the Natural Gas Measurement Association, member of the Permian Basin Measurement Society, and a charter member of Emmanuel Baptist Church-Farmington in 1956.
He received the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, BLM NM Oil and Gas Conference Award, BLM NM Director Award for Conservation and Development of an Alternative Measurement Program. He received a Certificate of Achievement for 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. He received Certificates of Appreciation from EPNG, Service in the Armed Forces of the U.S. Air Defense Artillery, and Completion of Active Reserve Service.
Carroll had deep roots in the San Juan County area. His grandfather Dave Stiles, served as mayor of Farmington in the 1940s. His grandfather William Crawford was a pioneering farmer and rancher in Bloomfield and Huerfano areas. Both families came to New Mexico in the first year of Statehood, 1912, from Texas.
Carroll was preceded in death by his parents, Burrel and Dyvena Crawford; daughter, Diana Crawford Keith; and brother, Lloyd Burrel Crawford; grandparents Flora and Dave Stiles and William and Minni Sota Bailey Crawford.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bonnie June, of the family home; daughter, Rebecca "Becky" (Lauren) Puepke; and son, Scott of Farmington; brother, Dr. Terry (Jane) Crawford of Las Cruces: sisters-in law, Ibbie Crawford of Austin, Texas, Anna Jean (Wayne) Shults of Texas, Catherine Graminski of Alpine, Calif.; grandchildren; Kirsten (Ricky) Lofton of El Paso, Texas, Ryan Hatch of Albuquerque, Melissa (Micheal) Munoz of Farmington, Amanda Rojo of Farmington, Shae Lynn (Allen) Young of Amarillo, Texas, Marshall Crawford of Farmington, Taylor (Kyler) Kirkland of Amarillo. Katelyn (Cimaron) Hernandez of El Paso; great-grandchildren, Noah Lofton, Elena and Emmanuel Munoz, Nathanael Rojo, Malakai Kirkland, Brycen Hernandez; and two on the way; many nieces and nephews who will miss him.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home in Farmington.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 211 W. 20th St. with the Rev. John Preston officiating. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers are Scott Crawford, Marshall Crawford, Micheal Munoz, Lauren Puepke, Allen Young and Kyler Kirkland. Honorary Pallbearers are Ryan Hatch, Ricky Lofton and Cimaron Hernandez.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the DementiaSociety.org or Diabetes.org.
Carroll's care is entrusted to the Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688.