Donald "Lee" Crawford

Lee Crawford, 79, died Friday morning, June 10, 2011 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center following a lingering illness.

Mr. Crawford was a lifelong resident of Kingsport. He attended Dobyns- Bennett High School where he participated in the athletic program and was an all-conference baseball player. He served in the U.S. Navy and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Mr. Crawford was a business owner in Kingsport, worked with AFG Industries, ICS, the Kingsport Boys' Club and retired from the Human Relations Department of Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital.

He loved and served his community participating in Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity and the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Lee was an active member of the church family at Mountain View Methodist Church, and greatly enjoyed serving on the Trustees caring for the church facility. He was a master craftsman enjoying cross-stitching, duck carving, building projects, painting and baking coconut pound cakes.

Mr. Crawford is preceded in death by his only son, Gregory Lee Crawford; his parents, Robert Lee and Lyde Fugate Crawford and his brother-in-law, Lynn Shetterly.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Gay Linn Crawford; beloved daughter and son-in-law, Tracie Linn and Andrew S. Hall; special grandsons, Andrew Gregory "Drew", Hunter Lee and Preston Bradley Hall; his sister, Jean C. Shetterly along with his church family and numerous good friends.

A service to celebrate the life of Lee Crawford is planned for Sunday, June 12th at Mountain View United Methodist Church, 4405 Orebank Road at 3:00 p.m. with The Reverend Robert Countiss officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall.

Memorial gifts may be made to the church or to the charity of one's choice.