In Loving Memory of My Father

Daniel Crawford Roberts

May 5,1930 - April 14, 2007

Crawford Roberts passed away on Saturday, April 14 th 2007 at the age of 77. Crawford was the first born son to Thelda Crawford Roberts (Ryan) of Salt Lake City, Utah. He arrived three months premature into a world without incubators or advanced medicine. The doctor who delivered him covered him with a sheet, certain that this tiny infant would not have the strength to survive.

His mother fought back and cradled her new son. Thelda fed him with an eye dropper and swaddled him a shoebox, she nurtured and cherished her tiny boy. Both Thelda and Crawford faced the odds and the infant not only survived; he thrived. That determination followed Crawford through his entire life. 

At 21 years old Crawford served an honorable mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the East Central States Mission from 1951-1953. Upon his return he met and married his life time partner and sweetheart Tessie Roberts. Together they raised nine children.

Crawford served his country during the Korean War from 1955-1957. Crawford worked for Southern, Western, and Union Pacific railroads. He began his career working as a telegraph and teletype operator and continued with the railroad for 30 more years. In 1977, Crawford graduated from Feather River College. During the course of his life Crawford also held multiple part time jobs to support his large family.

Crawford's devotion to his Heavenly Father never wavered. He worked hard in his church responsibilities and taught his family the gospel. Crawford's dedication was a source of inspiration to every life he touched. Later in life he served a second full time mission for the LDS church. This time, he served in the Florida Keys with his wife from 1999 to 2001.

Crawford lived in Quincy, California for the last 45 years of his life, working in Keddie, Greenville and Portola. He is survived by his wife Tessie Roberts, His son's Jonathan, Fon, and Matthew, and his daughters Camille, Tessie, Rebecca and Mary. He is also survived by his mother Thelda Ryan, his brother Frank Roberts, and his sisters Delores Shultz, and Thelda Kay Bowers.

Crawford was a dedicated and humble man. His family misses him and we look forward to being reunited with him in the eternities.