James Russell Crawley was born April 14, 1953 at the Elizabeth hospital in Prairie Grove, AR to James William “J.W” and Betty Erickson Crawley.
James was married to his loving wife of nearly 50 years Donna Louise Crawley on July 26th, 1974 at Summers Baptist Church. James was a Sargeant First Class in the National Guard where he served 31.5 years where he was decorated with many medals and awards. He was a member of the 142nd Field Artillery where he served active duty in Kuwait during Desert Storm and rumor has it, he repaired a Russian tank found in the Kuwaiti desert and got it shipped back to the armory in Lincoln, AR where it still sits. James also served as the president of the Prairie Grove Riding Club for years, and nothing delighted him more than hosting trail rides and cookouts, he never met a stranger and was always happy to share what he knew about horses, cows, mechanics or anything else. He was an avid coon hunter when he was younger and we have many stories of being in the woods with him, tracking dogs all over the country with him, dragging stray animals home(including baby opossums) and getting sprayed by skunks. He was a member of the Prairie Grove Christian Church in Prairie Grove,AR. He raised cows for most of his life on his farm and his family farm, which is a Century Farm, in Bugscuffle, AR. He also loved his chickens, ducks, donkey, horses and the occasional wild piglet that followed him home. He spent these last years, when he was physically challenged supervising working cattle, making knives, going camping with his grandchildren who he adored and sharing as much knowledge as possible with everyone. The consistent theme we have heard from friends, brothers in arms and family is that James had an immense amount of knowledge that he was so happy to share with others. James had an innate curiosity and loved learning, animals, music and a good joke.
James is survived by his wife Donna Crawley, of the home. His son James Matthew Crawley, daughter-in-law Monica Crawley who he loved as a daughter for the last 23 years, granddaughters Hailey Elizabeth Crawley and Isabelle Brooke Crawley all of Stilwell, OK. His daughter Stephanie Crawley Williamson and son-in-law Darren Williamson who he thought of as a son, of West Fork, AR. His grandson Sloane Miller and granddaughter Sophia Miller of Fayetteville, AR. He is also survived by his brother Larry Crawley and wife Karen, his sister Bonita Tyree and husband Randy, Sister-in-law Sherryl Leland, Brother-in-law David Terry and Brother-in-Law Bob Hutson. A host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, friends, brothers in arms from the 142nd Field Artillery, and his best little buddy, Wyatt the Jack Russell Terrier.
Visitation for James will be Monday January 22nd at Luginbuel Funeral home in Prairie Grove, AR from 7:30-8:30pm.
Services will be held at Prairie Grove Christian Church on Tuesday, January 23rd at 2pm. Internment and graveside services will follow with full honor guard and will be held at Bugscuffle Cemetery. After the service, mourners are invited for food at the Crawley Family Farm. We are so grateful that the Patriot Guard Riders will be escorting his casket to the graveside ceremony.
If you are led, you can make a donation to their organization at www.patriotguard.org in lieu of flowers.