Steve Crawford

Steve Curtis Crawford 59, loving husband, father and friend, passed away Aug. 27, 2004, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish due to heart failure.

He was born in Luray, Va., on March 26, 1945, to Orman Thomas Crawford and Mary Louise, and he married Alice Faye McFarlane in Choteau in 1968. Together they had four sons.

He was very creative and loved construction, beginning his working career in Virginia doing underwater welding on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which is known today as one of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world.

He then moved to Montana and worked at ranching, then became a master mechanic trouble shooter for C.W. Wright, covering all the southern states. He drove long haul for Sammons, and then operated a tow truck in Flathead County. One of his biggest joys was constructing his home, complete with a green house, with the last project in progress being a Swedish-type heating system.

Steve was very active in politics, running unsuccessfully for the Montana House and then the Senate. He made many friends by actively supporting all worthy causes that benefited Montanans.

Steve will be remembered for being a marvel at modifying standard equipment, and for his great knowledge of mechanics. He was a great support to all his family and friends, being known lovingly as the adopted grandfather of Skeeter, Boon, Pebbles and Journey. He will be greatly missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Bobby.

He is survived by his wife, Alice, at the family home in Columbia Falls, and stepmother Elisabeth, of Virginia; sons Robert and wife Paula, of Great Falls, William, of Deer Lodge, Steve, Jr., of Great Falls, and John and wife Evelyn, of Seattle Wa.; grandchildren Wyatt, Matthew and Christopher; step- brothers Bobby, of Virginia, and Frankie, of Florida; half sisters Kay and Silvia Ann and half brothers Guy and Kenny, all of Virginia.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial Services for friends and family will be announced.