Funeral services for Cecil Allen Crawford will be held on September 22, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 810 Carey Avenue, Ruston, LA. Burial will follow in NE LA Veterans Cemetery in Rayville, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA. Visitation is set for September 21, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the St. Thomas Aquinas Luffey Center.
Cecil was born on July 9, 1940, and passed away on September 16, 2026. Cecil was born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA. He was born to Allen F. Crawford and Clelie N. Crawford and was 1st out of 10 children. He graduated from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge. He joined the United States Air Force and while serving in the military, he met the love of his life, Patricia Jeanne McElhannon. The two were married, and soon after, he served our country in South Korea in the Air Force Intelligence. After his service in the military, he obtained his collegiate degree in Forestry at LSU. They eventually made their home in Ruston, LA in 1979, and they have lived there since. They were married for 65 years. Cecil worked for Ewing Timber in Jonesboro, LA as a forester for most of his career.
Cecil had a passion for hunting, including the most difficult to hunt – turkeys. He also had a passion for riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, and he enjoyed his yearly sojourn to South Dakota to ride in the Black Hills and attend the Sturgis Rally with friends. He was also active in the American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) and helped write motorcycle safety legislation and testified at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. He was an avid LSU Tigers fan, with his favorite sport being college baseball. He enjoyed watching his Tigers win many NCAA Championships over the years. Cecil enjoyed listening to bluegrass music. He played the banjo and played the upright bass for a bluegrass band.
Cecil attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Through the church he served the local community with the Dollar Lunch program that provides a monthly meal to Louisiana Tech students for $1. His favorite meal to help with was jambalaya. Cecil was also part of the Patriot Guard, local bike riders that assist at funerals for veterans to show support for their service to our country.
Cecil was a beloved husband, brother, uncle, father, grandfather and great grandfather and faithful friend to many. He will be remembered for his forthright spirit and determination, his patriotism, his hearty laugh, and his deep love for his family and friends whether here in Louisiana, South Dakota, or around the country.
Cecil is survived his wife, Pat Crawford; children Christi (husband Todd), Craig (fiancée Sharleene), and Stephen (wife Kim); siblings, Sondra White (husband Gary) and Brian Crawford; grandchildren: Drew, Matthew, Zachary, Lexi, Cate, McKay, Austin, and Evie; great grandchildren: Haizley, Maisie, and Emerson; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Allen F. Crawford and Clelie N. Crawford; and his siblings: Clelie Welch, Ronald Crawford, Roland Crawford, Glynn Crawford, Keith Crawford, Neal Crawford, and Beth Cottle.
The family would like to thank all of Cecil’s friends for their unwavering love, care, and support. He loved you all. Flowers can also be sent to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Cecil’s name. In lieu of cards or flowers, a donation can be made to the charity of your choice.
