David Ray Crawford

David Ray Crawford went home to be with the Lord after a long term battle with Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia, on February 3, 2018. He was born on October 27, 1948 in Youngstown, Ohio, graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1966. He then attended Mount Union College, graduating in 1970. He earned further degrees from the University of Dayton and Akron University. David was a teacher and coach for 39 years at Lake Local Schools as well as coaching at Hoover High School football and wrestling teams, and Mount Union Football. At Lake, David started the wrestling program in 1972 and was the head Wrestling Coach; head Boy’s and Girl’s Track Coach, Girls’ Softball Coach and Intermural Football Coach. He was inducted into the Stark County Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1995 for his work with the Lake High School Wrestling program and his many champions there. At Lake Local Schools, David started the Math and Calculus programs. He became a Middle School Guidance Counselor and later became Lake’s first Elementary Guidance Counselor. David was the recipient of the President G. W. Bush’s 1000 Points of Light for the programs he created for children of single parents. David was a member of St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church. He was a long standing member of the Hartville Jaycees, serving as president for several years. The organization honored him with Jaycee of the Year for helping to start and run such events as the Kapco 4 Mile, the JayCees State Track Meet, flag football leagues, and other community events like Safety Town and the Halloween Parade. He also represented the Lake Local Schools Teacher’s Association for several years. David leaves behind his wife of almost 50 years, Margaret (Forbush) and 2 children, David Ray II of Canfield married to Michelle (Nolan) with children David, Nicholas, and Michael; as well as Dr. Kelly Ann Roth of Canton, married to the Rev. Dr. Bruce Roth with their children Kory, Alex and Sarah. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Nora (Carter) Crawford and brother William Crawford. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 from 5-8 p.m. at the Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home in Massillon. Funeral services will take place Thursday at St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church, 4600 Fulton Dr NW, Canton, OH 44718 at 11 a.m. with calling hours from 9-11 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Stephen Martyr Lutheran Church or the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.