Noble Ray Crawford

Noble Ray Crawford, 90, passed away Sunday January 30, 2005 at home in Cottonwood, AZ. He was born July 29, 1914 to Noble Thomas Crawford and Lovina Holley Crawford in Keota, Oklahoma. Ray came to Mayer, Arizona in 1936. He met Eda Belle Snyder and they were married in Prescott, AZ in 1937. Their marriage lasted for 67 years. Ray was a WWII US Army combat veteran, serving in Europe. After the war he owned and operated Ray's Market in Mayer, AZ. He later worked for Safeway stores in Phoenix and Holbrook. Ray and his family moved to Sedona in 1963. The family owned and operated Crawford's department store in the community for several years. He worked at Nelson's Sedona Market and Oak Creek Market before his retirement. After retirement he worked at various jobs until he was 80. He was a charter member of the Sedona Elks Lodge. Ray and Eda Belle moved to the Pine Shadows community in Cottonwood in 1996. Ray enjoyed playing pool, card games and socializing with friends and family until his passing. He had a great sense of humor and was loved by many. Mr. Crawford is survived by his wife, Eda Belle, of Cottonwood, sons Tom (Nancy) Crawford of Page Springs and Jerry (Linda) Crawford of Sedona, and daughter, Judy (Garry) Hoffman of Flagstaff. He was a wonderful grandpa to his seven grandchildren, Matt Crawford, Heather (Randy) Fallaha, Chris Hoffman, Kelly Crawford, Justin Hoffman, Rusty and Andrew Crawford and "GG" to great-grandchildren, Riley and Aiden Fallaha. Nephew, Charles Williams, of Arkansas and several cousins also survive him. A celebration of Ray's life will be held Saturday, February 12, at 2 PM at the Pine Shadows Clubhouse. Hawaiian shirts are optional. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice. Westcott Funeral Home assisted the family with these arrangements.