Monday, May 15, 2006

R.I.P. Crawford


On Friday, we lost a good friend. It is one of those sad stories, just coming out of a dark time for him with a future full of promise. He had just won a seat to the 2006 WSOP and was very excited to be going. His divorce had just been finalized and he was awarded soul custody of his three children. Things were beginning to turn around for him, and then it happened. In the blink of an eye, that person you just talking to yesterday and making some plans with to meet up that weekend and inviting to a private poker game on-line on Tuesday is suddenly and tragically taken from you.

He was a good man and a good friend. He loved his children and would do anything for them. He loved to get together and play some cards and did it well. His Royal Flush in Hearts (from this point forward to be referred to as getting a Crawford) gave him the stack advantage that allowed him to take down WSOP satellite event. Sadly, life decided to throw him the ultimate Bad Beat well before his time. Since he loved his children so we, his fellow card players and friends, will do our best to help them with their future in his memory:

It is with great sorrow that we share this tragic news-
On Friday May 12th
JOHN CRAWFORD
was killed in an automobile accident. John had recently won the WSOP poker event.
John leaves behind 3 young children. In his honor we will be hosting the first
JOHN CRAWFORD MEMORIAL POKER TOURNAMENT
Entrance fee will be $50 with ALL proceeds going into a trust fund for his children.
The winner of the event will be going to
Las Vegas all expenses paid to play in Johns seat.
This tournament will be held at Breise's Brew on Friday June 16th. Complete details will be listed here soon.



John Crawford
1971-2006

Update: The tourney was quite the success. Just under $12,000 was raised and placed into a trust fund for his kids. With some luck, there will be another one next year!

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Congdon & Company Funeral Home
3012 Sheridan Rd, Zion, Ill. 847-746-1234
Visitation is Wednesday May 15, 2006 5pm-8pm
Funeral is Thursday May 16, 2006 10am





Van driver killed in head-on crash with bus
BY ASHOK SELVAMDaily Herald Staff WriterPosted Saturday, May 13, 2006
A 35-year-old electrician died after he drove a utility van head-on into a bus carrying adult passengers with special needs Friday night in Winthrop Harbor.
The accident killed John Crawford, of Winthrop Harbor, Lake County coroner Richard Keller confirmed. The accident happened around 7 p.m. on Rosecrans Road, also known as Route 173, about a block west of North Green Bay Road, Lake County sheriff's office Sgt. Curt Gregory said.
The westbound van crossed the median and struck the eastbound bus, Gregory added. It was raining at the time of the wreck.
Crawford and the other driver were trapped in their vehicles and freed by rescue crews, the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department said. Crawford was driving by himself and died at the scene, while those on the bus suffered non-life-threatening injuries. [Clip]

3 comments:

Xorply said...

My condolences to you Chris, your friends and family of John. A very tragic story and I wish you all well.

zzz said...

Sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and his family and friends.

Budo said...

Thank you to all who have expressed your condolences. We are hoping to raise between $10,000 and $20,000 for an educational trust fund for his children on June 16th, wish us luck on that as well!