On the early morning of October 12, 2022, Fred W. Crawford III passed away with his wife and son by his side after a thirteen-month struggle with renal cell carcinoma. He was 69 years young.
Fred was born to Fred W. and Helen Crawford Jr. in 1953 in Vallejo, California. He grew up in Louisville, Kentucky graduating from Fern Creek High School in 1971. He attended Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville earning his degree in Entomology. Butterflies were his favorite.
Always the creative type, Fred decided to pursue his passion with a career in Commercial Art, working as a self-employed graphic illustrator for 30+ years. He was also a part-time instructor at JCTC.
After retiring from the “business” of art and design, he continued to happily share his knowledge as a full-time instructor in the Communication Arts department at JCTC up until one week before his death. Artist, mentor, husband, father, brother, teacher, friend, business owner, and gardener—a true Renaissance kind of guy who was fiercely and deeply dedicated… A life well lived!
Fred was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Stephen; his in-laws, Henry and Joann Radican; and numerous aunts and uncles. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Colette, and his beloved son, Nicholas, whom he was so completely over the top proud of! Brothers Kevin (Janet Jakubowicz), Mark (Jeanette), Todd (Belinda); sisters-in-law, Jennifer and Julie Radican, and Terri Crawford; his nieces, nephew, and cousins also survive.
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd.
A scholarship fund has been established in Fred’s name for the Communication Arts students at JCTC. Donations may be made in his honor by sending checks payable to “Jefferson Foundation” at Jefferson Foundation, 109 E. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202 for the “Fred W. Crawford, III Scholarship Fund”.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” —Mahatma Gandhi
From Terry:
I’d like to thank all of you who came out to Fred’s visitation yesterday. It meant so much to Fred’s family and to me. Fred would have really liked catching up with you all as much as I did. I’m really glad you all got a chance to see some of his great artwork on display. He was such an awesome illustrator. I heard many of you say, “I didn’t know he was so good,” or “I had never seen his work before.” It was a great sight to behold. Fred’s family seemed really impressed and happy that so many of Fred’s current and former students came out to pay your respects and to say goodbye to our dear friend.
I want to give a special “thank you” to Rachel Fryer, one of our current students. She brought one of her great ideas to life with Fred’s caricature of Fred’s World. I wish I’d thought of it. Great job Rachel. I’m attaching a picture of the caricature with everyone’s signatures and comments written on the giant card we made with the caricature. Colette, Fred’s wife, and Nick, his son, really loved it.
Whether you were at the visitation or if you were unable to make it there, I want to thank you all for the sincere expressions of sympathy for Fred’s family, and for me as well, and for sharing small stories and feelings about Fred.
