Ralph P. Crawford

Ralph P. Crawford, 89, of Centennial passed away February 17, 2014. Married to Carol Jean Vendell (August 26, 1950, Ogden Utah). Father to Darryl (Kim), Adrian (Ralph), and Scott (Kathy). Grandfather to Brett, Jeremy, Garrett, Ryan, Matthew, and step-grandfather to Samantha and Will. Brother to Boyd (Claudia) and Joan. Ralph served his country during World War II in the 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army (K Company, 86th Division). He spent two and a half years in the Italian Alps campaign, earning the Purple Heart, Silver Star, and Bronze Star. After returning from his military service in 1945, Ralph attended Weber College in Ogden, Utah, the University of California at Berkley, and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City that awarded him a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1949. He was employed by Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company for 37 years. During his career he was promoted to various positions within the company. He enjoyed and excelled at each assignment. He retired from US West in 1986. In 1967, Ralph received the highest honor awarded by the National Red Cross for saving the life of a two-year-old boy. He was also presented with the ""Presidential Citation of Merit"" from the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company for the same life saving effort. He was appointed by Governor John Love in 1965 to serve on the Board of Trustees at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. This twelve-year assignment ignited his passion for community service. He served on the Advisory Board for the Center for the Hearing Impaired at Community College of Denver for four years. He was also named chairman of the Key Gifts Division of Lutheran Hospital's eleven million dollar expansion fund. Ralph was committed to the cause of democracy by involving himself in both state and national political campaigns. He believed strongly in the democratic principle of government that individuals can make a difference. He was guided by the precept ""that you stand up for what you believe in and make it happen !"" His inner drive to always help others was demonstrated by his commitment to service in both the International Association of Lions and the Telephone Pioneers. From 1969 Ralph was a member of numerous Lions clubs in the Metro area. He was a past member of the Arvada Lions Club, as well as served as president. He was also a past member of the Broomfield Lions Club, Denver Lions Club and most currently the Highlands Ranch Lions Club. He served as Vice Chairman of the State Lions Council, Past President of the Colorado Lions Foundation and Past District Governor of 6C. Ralph was a member of the Telephone Pioneers since 1970. He served as President of the Foothills Life Member Club, and received the Foothills Life Member Club President's Award. Although he served valiantly in World War II, he did not want to be defined as a hero. He believed that ""a hero is a man who does what he can."" In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Highlands Ranch Lions Club (71 Prarie Ridge Road, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126) or the Blue Spruce Pioneers (9649 Rockhampton Way, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130). A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 3pm at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 E. County Line Rd. (One block west of Holly Street) in Centennial. Please share your memories of Ralph and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook.