John Crawford - Building on a Miracle

Longtime Navigator, former Glen Eyrie Director and friend, John Crawford, went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 8, 2010 at the age of ninety. John served with The Navigators for more than sixty-three years. His tenure began in 1947 when Dawson Trotman encouraged him to invest in the lives of men and build disciples who could teach others also. John began working with servicemen in California and then became the first director at Glen Eyrie. While serving as director and helping John in the rafters renovate the Glen (John pictured standing), John married his dear bride Helen on July 10, 1955. John was the director for eight years and continued to hold the Glen close to his heart through his last days. Listen to John's own words.

These words were recorded at John's last visit to Glen Eyrie, when he attended our Navigator Family Jamboree, "Fam Jam", in July of 2008. John continually recruited family's to come to the Glen for the family retreat and helped raise scholarship monies to help make it possible financially, even when his health prevented his attendance to the event.

John and Helen Crawford John and Helen also served nine years in New Zealand leading The Navigator work there. Since 1980, they have lived in Oklahoma City where John served as The Navigators Area Representative. John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Helen; son, Jay and wife Carmen of Edmond, OK; daughter, Bonnie Foster and husband Eric of Colleyville, TX; 7 grandchildren; and a host of other beloved family and friends.

A Life Well Lived

I was a wild eyed college student when I met this larger than life legend, John Crawford. John Crawford and Lorne Sanny Lorne Sanny introduced me to him over thirty years ago (Lorne left, John right), as he told me about this guy who embodied our vision and carried it out everyday. John lived a life of no regrets. As a real encourager, he saw the potential in people. He described himself as a simple brick layer, but I say he was a hero to many, who built not just buildings, but magnificent cathedrals, as he built into the lives of so many.

At his memorial service, it was very clear the rich heritage he left physically with his children, Jay and Bonnie and their families. But also with the hundreds of lives he touched spiritually as the result of asking his three favorite questions, one, how's your time in the word, where's your man and are you in debt?

He understood and tried to elevate some of the pressures I have as the Glen Eyrie Director. He even gave money to replant some of the trees that he planted over 40 years earlier that didn't survive. The last thing he said to me was , "Let's continue to build on this miracle, the miracle of God giving Glen Eyrie to the Navigators to steward and use for His glory."

Thank you, for building on this miracle with us!

Jack McQueeney
Executive Director
Glen Eyrie Group